Day 29: Goodbye Malaysia

~Monday July 22, 2013~

The program is over. Farewell to all the USF students, the Malaysian people, and the food. It has been a wonderful journey and I won't forget. I will always be thankful with what I have and what I'm given. I'm off to Thailand and will be back home in the US on August 1st. 

I did have some bumps in the journey especially with the program costs and trying to solve them has been a painful process and pretty much stupid. I don't look forward to that when I come back. 

Anyway, make the most of your time! I cannot express this enough. I felt a lot of the students on this trip didn't enjoy themselves as much because their comfort levels were still back home in America. Always do everything you can because you will regret it. You're in a new place let go of your American ways and immerse yourself in culture. It doesn't hurt to try new and different things! Best wishes to all travelers!

Thanks for the memories Malaysia!
Hello Thailand! :D   

Day 28: Cultural Village and Farewell Dinner

~Sunday July 21, 2013~

Thank goodness it wasn't an early morning wake. I was still recovering from the hike. Throughout this whole trip there is no time to be tired. We're always going and on the move and  it keeps us busy and entertained especially since there's no wifi to entertain us. It's nice to leave the technology and enjoy the view and experience Malaysia without distractions of Facebook updates.

Nonetheless, it's all a learning experience and I try to take notes on every presentation even when I feel sleepy. 

Anyway, we visited a cultural village about the history of Kuching. It was fun roaming around at the replica houses and viewing the tools and instruments that they used back in the older days. The show at the end of this program was nice too. The women dancers were so pretty and the traditional costumes were really beautiful. The cultural village had a beautiful backdrop of the mountains and driving to the cultural village provided some scenic views.  

Day 26 & 27: Anah Rais Longhouse

~Friday July 19 and Saturday July 20, 2013~

~First Day~

I didn't know what to expect at this Longhouse. I knew it was going to be a cultural activity of this trip. I was a little hesitant about this overstay. Of course living in America it's different and  living in a Longhouse village was so different from what I was use to. I was able to adapt to living in the dorms of Penang and Kuching. Luckily, I held my head high and was able to live comfortably and situate myself in the Longhouse. I was pleasantly surprised at the natural surroundings! I think I was uncomfortable of staying at the Longhouse because we would be in a small area with 14 kids. 

On our first day here we hiked to the hot springs, ate good food, had a little fun with their cultural dances. 

* * *

~Second Day~

On the second day half of us decided to go on an actual hike through the jungle. Today we were to visit the waterfall. Hiking to the waterfall is approximately 2 hours. I was one of the few who hiked. The hike wasn't bad either. It was so much fun! The lazy bums who didn't hike took the van to the waterfall, and the even the weirder (maybe lazier) people took the van up there, but didn't step a foot out of the van. I thought that it's weird. Why not do everything you can while you're in Malaysia? I don't know why they didn't want to see a waterfall. 

The waterfall was so refreshing, but so cold! It was an amazing experience and always hike up to the waterfall if you can! Dr. Azizan pulled me into the waterfall. Hehehe! Rambo was our amazing tour guide!

Day 25: Health Centers

~Thursday July 18, 2013~

We visited the Malaria Research Center Facility of Medical and Health Sciences. It was very interesting because we just visited the vector center at USM in Penang. I didn't know the importance of research and publishing research/lab articles into prominent journals. Although working in research and laboratories looks fun, but there's a lot of dedication and writing a paper doesn't appeal to me. Hehe! 

  

We again also roamed around the city around back to the waterfront to enjoy some lunch and feast at our welcome dinner. The welcome dinner by the way has amazing foods. I love Ramadan buffets! Teh Tarik tea is the best!! 

Unfortunately, Dr. Kwa was unable to join us for the rest of our trip and I wish him well. Dr. Azizan will be heading this part of the program. 

Day 24: Orangutan Rehabilitation Center

~Wednesday July 17 2013~

I was pretty tired from getting no sleep and catching a plane to Kuching at 7am and getting a 2 hour nap on the plane. Kuching is very different from Penang. Penang is very crowded and messy with crazy roads and drivers. In Kuching it's much more organized and more space for drivers and I feel like it's a lot more cleaner than Penang. It also feels less hot and humid. 

We're here for 5 days. It's so surreal that it's almost over soon. Time has zoomed by! These 5 days are again in no air conditioned rooms, cold showers, and no wifi. I'm used to it now. We're always busy doing things in the city that there's no time to sit and surf the web. 

We visited the Orangutan Center and it was quite cool. Watching the orangutan swing in the trees was so scary because it looked so big. It was neat watching all the orangutans eat the bananas and crack their coconuts. Unfortunately it started to rain really hard so we left and we went to explore the water front. 

Day 23: Presentation Day/Packing

~Tuesday July 16, 2013~

After procrastinating on my presentation I finally cracked down on it and finished it. My presentation was about breastfeeding. I hope that in the future I will work with mothers and children. I get very nervous and anxious about presenting and public speaking; although I have known these people for almost 4 weeks now and there's only 14 people. I find that I get myself worked up and then when I present I stumble. I think I did okay, but I could do better. I guess I shall practice my public speaking abilities. 

Also we're leaving Penang and heading to Kuching at 5:30am. All of us spent the night out celebrating and partying on our last night in Penang! Yes, nobody got any sleep.  

Dinner buffet style

* * *

Last look of the room and living situation at USM. 

Day 22: continued

Happy Birthday Dr. Kwa! :D

Day 22: School Programs

~Monday July 15, 2013~

~School of Biological Sciences at USM~

Today was another presentation about the school and the programs they have. They talked about the 2 programs they have which is pure sciences and applied sciences. Their undergrad year is currently a 3 year program. USF is a 4 year undergrad program. Looking at their course list for the 3 year program looks so vigorous! Some majors they offer are zoology, botany, microbiology, agrobiology, aquabiology, biotechnology, environmental biology, biology and management of vector and parasites. 

~Vector Control Research Unit~

More than half a million live in urban areas. The slum population in Asia is 550 million and Africa is 187 million. Urban issues included poor air and water quality as well as infectious diseases. Pest issues include vector borne diseases, economic damages, mechanical vectors, pests of pets, and causing nuisances. 

We got to view their mosquito research room and look at some cockroaches. It gave me goosebumps; I don't like bugs, but I enjoy looking at these rooms.

* * *

~Dinner at Khaleel~
Roti canai is yummy! :D

Day 21: Ferry Ride

~Sunday July 14, 2013~

My friends and I decided to do all our work on Saturday so we can go out on Sunday. We spent the whole day outside running around the city. Dr. Kwa told us about a ferry boat ride that we can take for fun because it's cheap and it's an enjoyable ride with an incredible view. Penang is on an island and the ferry will take us to the main island of Penang. It was the best 30 minutes! I enjoyed the breeze and the scenery and the slight sunset that tried to peak through the hazy clouds. It was beautiful. I can't believe it was only RM$1.70...it's cheaper than the bus fare. We didn't know what to do in particular on the other side of the island; we just wanted to ride the ferry.

We also enjoyed some shopping as well.

Day 20: Free Lazy Day Saturday

~Saturday July 13, 2013~

I didn't really do anything in particular today. Part of the class is to give a presentation on a topic about health, modernization, or sustainability in Malaysia. Having not started it yet and the presentation is on Tuesday. I designated this day to work on it. My topic is on breastfeeding. I have an interest in maternal and child health so after visiting WABA I decided to look more into breastfeeding.

Nothing exciting besides food today, unfortunately. 

Lunch at Roti Bakar- Chicken Porridge soup

Dinner - sweet and sour fish

Day 19: Lectures

~Friday July 12, 2013~

~Institute for Molecular Medicine~

Pictures of their well established laboratories! 

* * *

~Pesticide Action Network Asia and Pacific (PAN AP)~

They promote healthy farming and healthy communities. In this lecture they talk about the harmful effects of pesticides and their hope to reduce the use of pesticides in hopes that it will lead to elimination of the use of pesticides. They want to promote food sovereignty, biodiversity, based ecological agriculture, advance the rights of women in agriculture, and corporate accountability. 

However, I'm a little skeptical on their idea of elimination of pesticides. I do not see how food sovereignty, ecological agriculture will replace food production for the growing population and the demand of food. I just don't see it being successful to turn over a higher quantity of crops or yielding as much for the higher demand of food. Of course, green is the way to go and using resources that are beneficial and useful, but I don't know if it can replace pesticides. I know, I'm a skeptic, but who knows...one day! :D

Day 18: Lectures and Laboratories

~Thursday July 11, 2013~

~National Poison Center at USM~

Another early morning and it was difficult to stay awake. Ahem, a little info about them. They collaborate with WHO for drug information. Their mission is to reduce the mortality, morbidity, occurrence, and cost of poison. They focus on 4 main areas: chemical safety, rational use of drugs, tobacco control, informatics for consumer health. They also have a 24 hour toll free hotline available for Malaysian for poison control and/or concerns.

* **

~Doping Control Center at USM~

DCC was founded on the commitment of the country to initiate comprehensive athletics doping control at both national and international sporting events. 

They test 2 type of samples: urine and blood with multiple screenings

In sports testing 

during competition: 11 types of screening

out of competition: 5 types of screening  

* * *

Lunch break hot pot with rice chicken and egg at Tesco (Malaysian version of a US Wal Mart)

Day 17: Stop the Violence!

~Wednesday July 10, 2013~

~Women's Center for Change~

Their mission is to eliminate violence against women and promote gender equality. They began 28 years ago by volunteers. Their 3 branches are service, outreach, and advocacy. They talked a lot about the marriage of a Muslim women. It's very interesting that cases against husbands who abuse their wives doesn't have high conviction rate without evidence. It seems that domestic disputes and violence is seen as a family affair and not to be made public. A man is most likely not going to jail if he hurts his wife, but if a child is hurt then, yes, jail time is probable. They also said that Muslim women who want to divorce their husbands are lengthy and complicated.

WCC has a shelter too. It's at an unknown location so that the women and children who seek help are in no danger from their boyfriends or husbands. Also, WCC is pushing for a higher conviction rate for sexual crimes, especially against children. Currently, the conviction rate if 4%. This disgusts me.

I don't know if it's cultural norms or if men were raised to suppress women, but that's not right because nobody should be victimized in their own home and certainly not be their own family. No women should ever suffer abuse from her husband and no children should endure it either. It surprises me that they law enforcement here take it very lightly calling it a "family affair." So what does it take for it not to be considered a "family affair?" Death?

Please visit here.

* * *

Jumping into a lighter subject. Lunch time at Gurney. I caved and got McDonalds. McDonalds is a popular spot to eat at. I got spicy BBQ McChicken. I believe the US doesn't serve this sandwich! :D

Day 16: Protection, Promotion, and Support of Breastfeeding

~Tuesday July 9, 2013~

~World Alliance for Breastfeeding (WABA)~

WABA started 22 years ago on Feb. 14, 1991. They're an international program for breastfeeding and urges women to breastfeed. Our group is comprised with 13 girls and 1 boy, but none of us are mothers. It was a very informative day about maternal and child health. There are many benefits of breastfeeding; one of the main reasons they urge breast feeding is prevention of future illnesses and even death. 

Some advantages include: fight infection, easy to digest, better brain development, security for both mother and baby. Also breast milk composition differs for each newborn. A component of breast milk  is colostrum which is a protective fluid. WABA prefers that mothers breast feed their babies right after birth. They mentioned an interesting fact about bottle fed babies; they said that because of the position the baby is in when being bottle fed, those babies have a higher chance to develop ear infections. 

More info about WABA.

~Penang Adventist Hospital~

We also went to the Adventist Hospital. They're a health promoting hospital. They have many programs within the hospitals to keep the patients and community involved, but also focus on maintaining a health lifestyle even after their visit. It's open to all, not just hospital patients. 

There was also a lecture on becoming a baby friendly hospital. They also believe in the benefits of breast feeding. They mentioned that the breast feeding rates among Chinese women are low due to a Chinese tradition where after the woman gives birth she's in her confinement period; in which she's treated as the queen and is to be confined so she can regain her health. But many specialist urge breast feeding, so she should not be separated from her baby. 

* * * 

I have never thought about this because I'm only 20 and I didn't realize the importance of breast feeding so it did shed some light to when I become a mother...which is somewhere in the future one day I hope. 

Yes, today was all about breast feeding. For the class, a presentation is required on any topic. I have chosen breast feeding as my topic and I paid close attention to the lectures and grabbed a lot of brochures and pamphlets. 

Day 15 : Free Day Monday

~Monday July 8, 2013~

We originally made plans to take a ferry ride to view the sunset while gliding on the waters. Guess what...it never happened. Oh well, we'll save it for next weekend. Anyway, my roommate and I woke up late morning, but our 2 friends were sleeping in and we didn't leave our dorms til 2pm. It was cloudy out, but we still had the idea of riding the ferry to watch the sunset because Professor Kwa told us that it's quite a view.

We took a bus to Komtor. This place is a giant shopping center full of bootlegged items, misspelled words on t-shirts, and awesome rolexes! Hehehe!

We lost track of time and never made it to the ferry. We spent the whole day shopping and eating. It's okay because we have one more free weekend!

I bought lots of earrings!

Day 14: Free Day Stumbling Sunday

~Sunday July 7, 2013~

~Little India~

As said before, everyone split up this weekend to do their own things. Myself and 3 other girls decided to hang around Penang. Today, we went to Little India. My friends already came here before and this area they said can get sketchy, especially at night. We didn't spend a lot of time here; we just browsed some shops. 

* * * 

~Georgetown~

A lot of the stuff we see are stuff we stumble upon just by perusing the city. Walking aimlessly can lead us into interesting places! We stumbled upon some Chinese culture event.

* * *

We stumbled upon a Muslim Indian Festival

 

 * * *

~Kumtor~

We headed to another shopping complex similar to Bukit Jumbul, but has more variety and more pricey (not really since everything is cheap here). We bought a whole bunch of earrings! We also get a little nervous at night waiting for the bus because there is no bus schedule and because it's late and Penang can get a little creepy at night with those weird people. There were times I have felt a little off, but last night I was much more shaky when this strange man was around. Always be careful and vigilant! 

We met a wonderful and genuinely nice guy while waiting for the bus and we struck up a conversation with him during our bus ride. This was the most stressful 10 seconds as the bus was stopping, we were getting off, and we wanted to snap a picture of him...mission accomplished. He reminded me of my boyfriend's little brother. 

~Dinner~

Dinner at our favorite boba place! This is at Bukit Gambir and it's the street right outside of the USM dorms.

My friend and our new friend on the bus :D

Day 13: Free Day Saturday

~Saturday July 6, 2013~

~Snake Temple~

It's a free 3 day weekend! There's a trip planned for this weekend to go to Kuala Lumpur; it's another city in Malaysia and supposedly very modern. However, out of the 14 of us, 3 decided to go on the trip with our professor, 1 went on her own, 6 decided to go to Thailand, and myself and 3 other girls decided to hang in Penang. The trip to Kuala Lumpur was a little pricey and I'm going to KL with the 3 other girls later and I'll be also heading to Thailand after the program. 

So, we went to the Snake Temple, which I wasn't that pleased about. It was nudged in a small area in between shops and some building. It was a tourist stop. However, it's worth skipping there wasn't anything amazing about it. We just went because it was a free day and to check it out. 

* * * 

~Bukit Jumbul~

We didn't really know what to do. We saw a lot of things already in the first 2 weeks here. After the snake temple we headed over to a shopping complex called Bukit Jumbul. It's a giant shopping center with 6 floors. It's not like an American mall. There are tiny shops set up in these stalls. It's not going to glamorous and fancy like you would see in America. If you're looking for traditional Malay dresses or hijabes (the headcovering that Muslim women wear) this is the place. There's so many stores selling the same things.

Lunch and for some reason I craved a donut...but I don't even eat donuts in America. I'm missing my mom's food and all the junk food America has to offer. :'(

* * *

~Night Market~

At night there is a night market near our campus. It's right across from Tesco (there version of a Wal-Mart). It was so humid, hot, and congested with all the people, the cooking of street food, but it's definitely worth checking out!

Laksa is a popular traditional Chinese and Malay food.

Day 12: Lectures

~Friday July 5, 2013~

I didn't really take notes on the first lecture entitled CSR: The sustainability Context by Ellisha Nasruddin. I did listen attentively to her, but then I was confused towards the end of lecture because I left to go to the bathroom. Anyway, she talked about sustainability and business. CSR means corporate social responsibility. Do you believe corporations are the blame of negative social and environmental impacts or the solution? 

Lunch break! I really enjoy teh tarik tea...it's soooo good! In many of my food pictures you can see this drink is included. Everyone must try it!! One of the things I look forward to and it keeps me awake.

We also visited the Penang Medical College. They talked to us about their students and the programs that the students participate in like health surveys in rural villages, performing basic health check ups in remote areas. They want their medical students to not only learn to become doctors, but be able to communicate to their patients. We also learned about Dr. Wu Lien Teh who is a Malay born doctor, but is quite famous in China; he is relatively unknown in Penang (his birthplace). He was the first Chinese descent student to study at Cambridge University. While the pneumonic plague was ravaging China he was the one who suggested to to cremate the victims, in which the plague was suppressed.

Again, sorry for vague information. It's been a long day of roaming around Penang since weekends are free and it's really late right now...me super tired!

Day 11: Lectures

~Thursday July 4, 2013~

Happy belated 4th of July 'Murrica! While the US were shooting fireworks I was over hear attending lectures. 

~Water Watch Penang~

Dr. Ngai Weng Chan spoke to us about water in Penang. This group was formed in 1997 and it's a non-government organization used to promote sustainable water development and resources. He says Penang is a poor water state of Malaysia. He says water here is very cheap, but there is a mismanagement of water. Luckily, Penang loses only 18.4% of water distribution so that saves a lot of money. Dr. Chan was telling us how his water bill is never over RM$5 which is a little over US$1.00 ... What?! He also says that the average water bill in Penang is RM$10-20 ... that is less than US$10!!! 

Lunch break. This is roti telur (eggs) and cheese. It's like a flat bread cooked in whatever of your choosing and dipping sauce. 

* * *

Dinner at a Arabic restaurant

I had Biryani chicken and a honeydew drink. The fruit juices here are sooooo good!

Day 10: Center for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS)

~Wednesday July 3, 2013~

~CEMACS~

The only lecture today and I was thankful since I wasn't feeling to good the day before. This was one of my favorite lectures so far. We took a little boat to the CEMACS which is part of USM.  They were an establishment of school of biological science field station in 1976 and established as a center of excellence in 1991 for marine studies, research, and post-graduate studies. There areas of research are: mariculture, marine pollution, marine science, coral reefs, and biodiversity. We had to take a boat over to the research center and it was a nice and breezy ride!

Here are some pictures of the campus and the beach. 

Some rules and regulations at the beach!

 * * *

A little more shopping and food eating afterwards at Komtar plaza...this place is muy expensive! 

Oh no! My boyfriend doesn't ♥ me anymore! ;) hehe!

Day 9

~Tuesday July 2, 2013~

~Family Health Development Association~

Another non-government organization; they have been around for 52 years and were once a family planning association dealing with contraceptives. Today, they are more focused on sexual health. They have programs for unwanted pregnancies and abortions as well as HIV/AIDs. It's quite interesting to see these outreach groups and programs in a poor and shabby building. In the U.S. the charity groups and volunteer programs usually have nice offices that aren't falling apart. This group of people have 20 regular staff and many outreach volunteers. One of the interesting stories of that day was hearing a transgendered woman talk. She was once a he and she is really pretty. She talked about her struggle of acceptance with her family. Unfortunately, her father never approved of her lifestyle. She is one of the many volunteers at the association. I noticed that a lot of the male volunteers were feminine. Do I have a problem with this? Of course not! :) 

* * *

There was another lecture to visit, however, I became ill and was unable to hear the discussion about the Consumer Association of Penang. :( 

Day 8: Lectures

~Monday July 1, 2013~

First off, happy July! Not much pictures today. I still feel a little weird taking pictures of people I don't really know, especially when they're talking. I feel like I would cause a distraction if I whip out my camera while a person is talking. And it was obvious that everyone was tired from the beach trip yesterday.

We visited the program with women's development research center at USM, they call themselves Kanita. They work with single mothers in rural areas to develop their skills and potential as contributors to the household and to support themselves. We discussed a lot about the women's role in the household and her rights and the challenges she faces with raising a family, having a career, and her marriage. Their research consists of gender and social equality, health, policy and law, sustainable development, and leadership.

There was also a brief lecture with the program of basic education research unit. It was cut short due to the dean who was speaking had to leave for an important meeting. The Malaysian education system is quite odd. At the age of 15 the decision the student make about what career they're interested is some thing they are with stuck forever. In the USA, anyone can become a doctor or any career if they do the required courses and pass the exams or change your career in the middle of your life. In Malaysia it's not that way. If I made my career choice I would be in journalism most likely.

USM goodies!

We keep eating at Korean cafes. Two of my friends are K-everything fans. 

Day 7: Free day means beach day at Batu Ferringhi

~Sunday June 30, 2013~

Today was a do whatever kind of day and we did plenty of stuff. Have a look'se' down below! :) Our international buddies didn't really tell us what we were doing or what we were seeing. They just told us to meet back at a certain point at this time. So, sorry for my lack of my information, but I try to read anything in English and enjoy myself as I go on these walk-abouts of these places they take us...

* * *

~Burmese Buddhist Temple~

Another gorgeous temple. I'm not familiar with Buddhist religion, but the temples are very interesting to look at. I know some things about Buddhism, and I picked up this book called A Manual of Buddhism by Narada Thera at this temple to learn more. So I plan to read this book on my free time if I ever have free time on this trip.

There was this weird guy that approached me and told me an interesting fact about these Buddhas. The row of Buddhas are similar, but they are very distinct to each countries representations of the Buddha. The weird guy took a picture of me taking a picture of the Buddha....now somewhere an unwanted photo taken of me is somewhere on the cyber world... -.- 

* * *

~Thai Buddhist Temple (Wat Chaiyamangalaram)~

This is home to the gigantic statue of the sleeping Buddha. These two temple were right across the street from each other and equal in beauty and magnificence. The best thing about these temple are that they don't charge for admission. It's a spectacle to behold and also quite peaceful and a time for reflection.

* * *

~Lunch at the Straits Quay~

The area was nice because it was right by the water, but this was a more Western shopping and dining area full of tourists. It was kind of pricey here and there's a lot of upper class Chinese people here, not the usual Malay people of Indian, Muslims, and regular folks  I would see around USM and Penang. 

This fruit dessert was the best thing I ever ate. It was so cold and refreshing. As you all know, I love fruits.

Watermelon grass jelly and sweet and sour fish!

 

 * * *

~Beach/flying/dinner at Batu Ferringhi~

Malaysia is extremely hot. You sweat everywhere you go, there's no avoiding it. Going to the beach is extremely hot as well; even more so than Florida beaches. My boyfriend told me to try and do everything you can do because it's cheap here. My friends and I decided to go para-sailing and rafting on the beach which was pulled by a jet ski. The rafting was intense because it was so fast and bumpy. It was crazy! I wanted to go on it again. I had so much fun! I don't know how much it would cost in the US, but for both  of those water activities it cost RM$90 which would be US$30. WHAT?! What a deal and a steal! 

As you can see here, she tried to break my bones. HEHEHE. She landed on top of me. Our graceful descent to land was anything, but. 

Pattaya Thai fried rice