September 2016

Nothing like a visit to a beautiful orchid garden to ease the stress of living and working in Malaysia. I rode in with Carol and Frank again. I will be making the trip in a couple of weeks alone to pick up a friend at the airport, so I'm trying to figure out all the ins and outs of getting there by car. It's not easy until you have all the documents and paperwork. I had thought about staying overnight, but Singapore is one of the most expensive cities in the world, and I might as well come home to my own bed....it's not that far away. But one of these days I will spend the night there.
Don't mess with drugs in Singapore!

Death!

It didn't take too long to cross the border today. The traffic was pretty light. We dropped off their car and hopped on the subway (MRT) and after a couple of stops we split up. They were heading a different direction.

I headed to the Botanical Gardens where I have been wanting to see the Orchid Exhibit. It was so beautiful. I can't believe how many different types of orchids are available. The weather was super hot, but most of it was shaded. There was even a cool greenhouse. I wanted to stay in there for a long time to cool off.

They were having a concert in the park that night and so I got to hear them warming up and practicing. Reminded me of the wonderful concerts I have been able to hear in Utah.

I spent some time there, and was going to take the MRT to see Little India, but frankly I'm exhausted from the stress of school, so I made the trip back on the bus. Ended up taking the wrong bus into Malaysia and took a taxi ride home. Oh well...it just means another adventure. And 20 less RM's that I have. It was nice to get a beautiful break!

Orchid Garden

Orchid Garden

Orchid Garden

Orchid Garden

Orchid Garden

Orchid Garden

Orchid Garden

Orchid Garden

Orchid Garden

Orchid Garden

Orchid Garden

Orchid Garden

Orchid Garden

Orchid Garden

Orchid Garden

Orchid Garden

Orchid Garden

Orchid Garden

Orchid Garden

Busy guy looking for insects

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And this is how they try and keep the mosquitos away! The first time it happened I had no idea what was happening. I thought the building was on fire. I actually started thinking that my car, the first one I had, had started the fire. There are loud noises associated with it, and smoke was pouring out of the garage and the roof. I was in the swimming pool, and finally asked someone in the gym what was happening. It was pretty shocking that first time.

Today it happened again, and luckily I was inside. Notice the guy doing the spraying. Not any face protection at all. Can't be a good idea! I would think pretty unhealthy!

Our school is past due for treatment. Therefore, the mosquitos are horrific, Going to the bathroom is a horrible experience. Today I was bit several times while dancing and waving and trying to take care of business. I hate mosquitos!

Ostrich Egg

Interesting creatures

Ostriches

Ostrich Eggs

Ostrich eggs

Ostrich Burger

Feeding time

Desaru Beach

Desaru Beach

Desaru Beach

The beach at the Lotus Hotel

Lotus Hotel

Bananas

Fruit farm

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Only about an hours drive from my apartment is a beautiful beach resort. We had a 3 day weekend and I've been wanting to get away to see this area. I traveled with a teacher from school, Tuyen. Great traveling companion.

Driving here is really scary, but that is another post. With my new car I thought it would try the drive. It was a beautiful drive with green palm trees on either side. We crossed a really cool bridge at one point. The traffic wasn't too bad, although I don't think that there are any traffic rules followed.

We stopped at an ostrich farm. I was able to stand on ostrich eggs to show how strong they are. An ostrich egg is equivalent to 24 chicken eggs. Ostrich eggs are much lower in cholesterol than chicken eggs, and a little lower in saturated fat, making them a healthier choice. Just a couple of facts. I found it rather gross that the birds would peck each other until they were mostly naked.

I tried a ostrich burger, and it was tender and tasty. Then it was on to the Lotus Resort.

The Lotus was huge. So big that they have shuttles taking you from one side to the other. We checked in and went to the waterpark. We slid down the slides and swam in the pool. I was the only "white" person there. And I stuck out! I was the least dressed person there. So many women wearing burkas, and most the men wore shirts. My swimming suit was modest, according to most suits. But, wow did I get some stares.

We ate dinner that night at a buffet. We spent the night in a nice hotel room, think Motel 6. But air conditioning, and a good bed. In fact it was the first night I actually slept since I arrived in Malaysia. I don't know why. I don't understand why, cause when I got back to my apartment Saturday night, I was back to not sleeping.

The next day we had a buffet breakfast, not much different than the dinner. LOL The asian way.....same food all the time.
We walked on the beach, I had a wonderful massage at the spa, and then we had lunch. Tuyen tried parasailing. I had done that in Cancun and that was enough for me.

On the way back home, we stopped at a fruit farm for a tour and some tastes of fruits. I'm trying to be positive, but I have only found mangos here to be tasty. I cover most the other fruit with peanut butter to kill the taste. I bought a bunch of pears and had to cook them up with brown sugar to make them taste decent.

On the drive home the air conditioning in the car went out...and that wasn't pleasant. When we passed through the toll booth my card wouldn't work and the cars were backed up, and I lost it. Cried a lot, and luckily Tuyen understood, as she had a cry last week. The stress at school is incredible and it was nice to have a break from it this weekend.

It is like being in a totally different world when you cross over into Singapore. A whole new world!

It is totally amazing that Singapore is only about 12 miles away, but it can take so long to get there. Today I caught a ride with Carol and Frank, new friends that live in the neighborhood. They are from England. Carol has very graciously come to our school to volunteer in the classrooms. I couldn't do without her! She has done so much to help me, and it's so appreciated. They have been here for 2 years and have one left. Frank is a doctor and is teaching here. Lovely couple. Anyway, they were going into Singapore and invited me to ride along. I want to learn how to drive it myself, so this was a perfect opportunity to watch it.

To get to the border is only about 10 minutes, but the actually crossing over and getting passports stamped is what takes the time. Driving is much quicker than taking public transportation that is for sure. But it also depends on the time. We were lucky there wasn't much traffic. The lines coming from Singapore to Malaysia were backed way up, and would have taken a couple of hours in the car.

We stopped at IKEA!!!! And I found some treasures. Singapore is known as a super expensive city, but I found the prices to be reasonable. I loaded up a cart and Carol and Frank will bring it to me after they stay in Singapore for the weekend. We even had a hot dog, drink and ice-cream there.

We went downtown after to the riverfront area and walked around for a bit. They told me to a good bookstore, and a mall with some western food. We split up and I found a block of cheddar cheese and a jar of pickles, both rather expensive, but I'm going to enjoy them. I even had a yummy crepe.

Then is was time for the adventure home. I found the MRT, (rail system), bought card that is good for 3 years, (LOL, not staying that long), and found the correct route. MRT to the border, and then on a bus for 15 minutes to the Singapore crossing, lined up for the passport check, then on another bus to the Malaysian checkpoint, and another line to get the passport stamped again. Finally onto another bus that dropped me near my house at East LaDang, and a short walk home.

People here do not line up well. They cut in line, and I'm not very patient with it. In fact when a lady did it while waiting for the bus, I cut back in front of her. I think I'm a little short tempered when I'm tired. I talked to her in line while waiting and understood why. She crosses everyday and it takes her at least 2-3 hours each way. She works her 8 hour job and then comes home to her children. Why is it so hard for so many. I constantly want to remember to be grateful for the many blessings I have.

It was a good day, and so nice to have my western fix!

Just me

Marina Bay Sands Hotel

River Walk

Hotel

Fast Food!

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I have already fallen in love with my Branch in Malaysia. I love my ward at home, but I really wasn't needed there. Here I have been welcomed in and was given a calling in the primary the second week. And I was asked to teach Relief Society and play the piano in Relief Society. We are small with only about 30-40 attending, but the spirit is strong. We have 2 sets of young Elders, and a missionary couple just came two weeks ago. He told how he and his wife have wanted to serve a mission, but things kept happening. They finally put in their papers at age 70 and figured they would be called to a easy place. But they got the 2 year call to Malaysia. She said she didn't even know where it was. LOL Join the club. They are excited to be here, and I already love them.

Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Sixth Quorum of the Seventy came to our meeting. I didn't even know we had these callings. http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/62265/New-Area-Seventies.html
He spoke of our branch being pioneers here in JB. And he believes that someday there will be wards and stakes here. Lot's of work to get there, but I hope that it happens.

There is also another American attending the branch. He is working nearby, and isn't with his family. He teaches the English Gospel Doctrine class. The rest are Malaysian and Chinese. Wonderful people.

Church is in several languages. They have headphones and when it's a language someone doesn't understand they can put on the headphones and the elders translate.

Father forgive me when I whine. I have so much to be thankful for. Today I took a sister to church who needed a ride. She lives close to me. Her name is Venus. She is 39. And I will take her twice a month. She is a maid, nanny, housekeeper, cook. She is from the Philippines. She has 4 children ranging in ages 13-4 and a husband. Things are so desperate there she has taken a job here for a Chinese family. She works everyday and they are being generous to give her 2 Sunday's off a month to attend church. She shares a room with the 86 year old grandma which she also cares for along with a 7 and one year old. She saw her family in February and her contract ends in July. She is trying to save money so she can go home and start a business. 450$ a month for working full time everyday. No day off. My heart aches for her and for all those in this same situation. When we complain about our lives, remember Venus.

I enjoyed the church meeting today. It was fast and testimony meeting. I bore my testimony and started by saying that I get up everyday and want to go home. (And I do feel that way morning, noon, and night) But I made the commitment to be here in Malaysia and I need to be happy and strong. I said I also want to go home someday to Heavenly Father, and to do that I need to be like the scripture in Mosiah 5:15 “Therefore I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, The Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all.” I am trying to be happy and serve others. I am trying to be strong here, and find a way to help others. Sometimes it's just one hour at a time....and I will remember Venus.