Time for a Water Break
At the moment I am sitting in a very comfortable bed in an air conditioned room in Kuantan...with very slow and frustrating internet. I've determined that slow internet is the one constant I can count on in Malaysia. Or internet that simply doesn't exist. I'm coming to terms with this fact in my own unique way, with reluctant acceptance.
The reason I am in Kuantan is for Water Break- or that time of the year when the ETAs from every state get together in a swanky hotel for, of course, very important reasons. My guess is we gather to discuss important topics that are affecting everyone, and do general housekeeping things. I for one am very appreciative of a few things after only being here for a few hours. First, being able to sleep in an air conditioned room, with the covers on, is a purely blissful experience that I can truly appreciate after many restless and sweaty nights in my own bed. Secondly, it is wonderful to be around others who speak fluent English. There are a lot of tiny things that make this an extremely gratifying reason to come to Water Break. Being around other native English speakers allows me to fully utilize my sense of humor, my witty ability to use sarcasm, and of course it also allows me to throw in some general slang into the conversation as well. All things that I have taken for granted in the past. You never notice how important verbal communication is to your daily life until you have to constantly think of what and how you are saying things to others in a culture that is different from your own. I can also appreciate being able to wear clothing that doesn't completely cover me up- no Baju Kurungs here. And of course the food- so many different choices that are sure to make me gain weight. But it will all be worth it when I go back to Pekan and have to rely on the hostel canteen again.
Water Break is also coming at an important time for me for personal reasons. During orientation in KL we discussed many important topics to help all of us prepare for our grant- some things were helpful, while many were a waste of time. One of the topics that was most impactful and most helpful for me personally was a presentation of cultural sensitivity and the stages of culture shock. During this presentation we discussed all the emotional peaks and valleys that occur when someone is living in another country. People usually start off on a high peak, or the honeymoon phase, where everything is so new and exciting. But soon enough you will dip, or go into a valley, where you will become homesick or frustrated or just generally depressed. Something very exciting to look forward to, which they certainly didn't advertise when I applied for the grant. Everyone has different peaks and valleys that happen at different times, but they do happen to everyone.
Currently, I feel that I am heading straight for the first major dip during my time here. May and June are going to be relatively hard months for me in general, simply because a lot of important things are happening at home. In May is my mother's birthday and Sara's graduation. In June is the start of CTY and Nadine's wedding. All these things I am missing, and I know that missing them is going to weigh heavily on my mind and my thoughts in the upcoming months. So in that sense, Water Break came at a great time- it's giving me an opportunity to recharge for a few days before diving into these difficult months. Plus hanging out and seeing everyone again is a little bit easier after not spending a month straight together with all of them. I feel that as a group we are a little more separate and not as cliquey, even though some of us still are.
We have a pretty chill schedule compared to the general and state orientations, and I'm definitely excited to stock up on some delicious western style food, sleep in a comfortable bed, and enjoy the air conditioning.
The reason I am in Kuantan is for Water Break- or that time of the year when the ETAs from every state get together in a swanky hotel for, of course, very important reasons. My guess is we gather to discuss important topics that are affecting everyone, and do general housekeeping things. I for one am very appreciative of a few things after only being here for a few hours. First, being able to sleep in an air conditioned room, with the covers on, is a purely blissful experience that I can truly appreciate after many restless and sweaty nights in my own bed. Secondly, it is wonderful to be around others who speak fluent English. There are a lot of tiny things that make this an extremely gratifying reason to come to Water Break. Being around other native English speakers allows me to fully utilize my sense of humor, my witty ability to use sarcasm, and of course it also allows me to throw in some general slang into the conversation as well. All things that I have taken for granted in the past. You never notice how important verbal communication is to your daily life until you have to constantly think of what and how you are saying things to others in a culture that is different from your own. I can also appreciate being able to wear clothing that doesn't completely cover me up- no Baju Kurungs here. And of course the food- so many different choices that are sure to make me gain weight. But it will all be worth it when I go back to Pekan and have to rely on the hostel canteen again.
Water Break is also coming at an important time for me for personal reasons. During orientation in KL we discussed many important topics to help all of us prepare for our grant- some things were helpful, while many were a waste of time. One of the topics that was most impactful and most helpful for me personally was a presentation of cultural sensitivity and the stages of culture shock. During this presentation we discussed all the emotional peaks and valleys that occur when someone is living in another country. People usually start off on a high peak, or the honeymoon phase, where everything is so new and exciting. But soon enough you will dip, or go into a valley, where you will become homesick or frustrated or just generally depressed. Something very exciting to look forward to, which they certainly didn't advertise when I applied for the grant. Everyone has different peaks and valleys that happen at different times, but they do happen to everyone.
Currently, I feel that I am heading straight for the first major dip during my time here. May and June are going to be relatively hard months for me in general, simply because a lot of important things are happening at home. In May is my mother's birthday and Sara's graduation. In June is the start of CTY and Nadine's wedding. All these things I am missing, and I know that missing them is going to weigh heavily on my mind and my thoughts in the upcoming months. So in that sense, Water Break came at a great time- it's giving me an opportunity to recharge for a few days before diving into these difficult months. Plus hanging out and seeing everyone again is a little bit easier after not spending a month straight together with all of them. I feel that as a group we are a little more separate and not as cliquey, even though some of us still are.
We have a pretty chill schedule compared to the general and state orientations, and I'm definitely excited to stock up on some delicious western style food, sleep in a comfortable bed, and enjoy the air conditioning.