Jingle Bells, Batman Smells (Not Really)

So I am currently in Penang, having escaped from Outward Bound for a holiday. Considering how tired I was after the CAC, this relaxation time is much appreciated. I am joined by the fabulous Alison and Eleanor, who were kind enough to invite Geordam and I to their Project in Semenyih, where they work in an orphanage. Enjoying the Christmas spirit indeed, as while we didn't get to enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner - pot noodles lined my stomach instead - we spent our day carol singing, at church, and then spreading the joy by playing with the various children at DAJ.

So much easier to deal with than 10 year olds, be ickle 5 year olds - you throw them around, spin them upside down and give them bubbles and they're happy as clams. Why are clams happy again? I don't really understand how that phrase makes any sense, but it's what applies. Moving on, El, Al and I have spent the time being regular old tourists, as well having a blast visiting some spectacular course assistants - Bryan, seriously delicious lasagne, thank you very much! - and a pretty waterfall where we enjoyed cake.

If you want to come to Penang for anything, come for the food - and the Kek Lok Si Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia (apparently) which I have no doubt is brighter than Las Vegas at night, considering every statue had fairy lights attached. In the daytime, you still get absolutely gorgeous views, as well as excellent chances to haggle considering the amount of stalls lining the path up. Back to the point, the food here is gorgeous - and there is a huge variety, from Malay to Japanese to Filipino!

The one hassle of this holiday is that we have spent the entire time unsure about what we're going to be doing. Due to a surprise return by Mya and Lisa, we are now heading to Langkawi for New Year, where I will hopefully be able to scuba dive - finally! I'm getting the feeling our New Year will be starting off with a bang, and even if not, the countdown to our return starts with 2012, thus requiring us to make a variety of New Year Resolutions.

I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas, and should New Year bring you much luck and happiness. I'm feeling slightly Chinese after all the temples we've seen!

Emily

Children Adventure (sort of) Course

Greetings Earthlings, I am venturing off to Pangkor tomorrow (this being a normal event for me nowadays, with courses everywhen). The children of watch Camah appeared on Monday, the youngest one being just 9 years old, all terribly excited (well, some of them) to be at OB, where the good times roll.

Most of the kids are great - enthusiastic, overly talkative, and try hard, as well as using us as monkey bars, or seats, whenever possible. They are continually confused by the game 'Black Magic', unable to work out the trick, and spend the whole time playing 'Splat!', thus improving their reaction skills remarkably. Apart from the early morning wake up calls we deliver - which seem unnecessary considering they're already awake - the course is moving along smoothly, even if keeping up with the crazy antics and their inability to serve food as a group is a tad tiring.

However, I must say, out of the three girls in the group, two of them are really letting the side down. Maybe I'm biased because their slouching posture really bugs me, but I doubt it, considering both course assistants and instructors have mentioned their failure to join in - at one point wasting time during the 'ball walk' game because it was 'too embarrassing', forcing the others to take their place - or the fact that they constantly chat in Chinese while David is talking, or even that they seem to believe the washing will magically do itself.

Whatever. They've improved, however minutely, so I shall just give a nod in thanks. They actually did the wall climbing, despite initial refusal, and really the most dramatic thing was a girl (not them) bursting into tears while I was belaying her. No, I did not scare the crap out of her, no matter how sadistic I can be with a wake up call siren - she was scared of heights, so you have to admire the fact that she went up at all.

Moving on, belaying really works up an appetite, so I shall now disappear off to dinner. Ciao!

Emily

Volunteer Hassles

Greetings from relaxation land! I have had the pleasure of a week off, due to a course being postponed, and I have made the most of it. Of course, things have clearly changed, since I am going on runs, of my own accord. Seriously, abnormal. However, the rest has been necessary, considering the previous course, and the course soon to be - hyperactive 10-12 year olds, requiring constant supervision, are the soon to be students of OBS.

My previous course was Bethany Home, with students ranging from 14 upwards, all with some sort of learning disability - autism, downs syndrome, and so on. It was nice actually, getting a chance to do a course which felt very much like volunteer work, helping those who needed the help.

At the same time, it had its problems. Each student - about sixty in total - had a volunteer for constant supervision sakes, as a few could be considered 'escape risks': with the beach, and beautiful blue sea so close, it was definitely necessary. However, the volunteers were a tad prickly, and also a tad unhelpful when it came to basic clear up. OB is not a resort. Yes, you are there to learn teamwork and to push past your barriers through outdoor experiences, but preparation and clean up are a part of it. Leaving us to clean every kayak, as well as wash up everything after the barbecue is just bad manners.

Moving on, the students were really impressive. A whole range of activities took place - wall climbing, kayaking, rafting, sand castle competitions (random, but true). They especially took to learning the school song, and while all instructors had a moment of panic (I underexaggerate with 'moment') regarding the night walk, the sky remained clearish (does drizzle count?), and no terrible accidents occurred. Admittedly, it took us an hour and a half to do a 5 minute walk, but the students seemed to enjoy it, so it was worth it.

One thing I have to say that got to me though: considering the oldest student was in fact 42, calling them 'special kids', as the director of BH seemed fond to do, seems rather patronising. Is it just me? I doubt it somehow.

Farewell for now: I am off to a wedding tomorrow, so my baju kurung will once again be making an appearance.

Emily

Horror at Site B

Ah, it was a sad farewell. My children have departed for better shores, and thus I remain at Outward Bound, ready to take on further courses. It is sad indeed, so sad in fact, that one tears welled up in Sha Lin's eyes.

But the farewell was not the most dramatic part of the course for me. That, is dedicated to solo camp, a time for rest and relaxation, swinging gently in my hammock at Solo B to the chorus of monkey chatter. Or, that is what is it meant to be. Instead, the storm the previous night had soaked the available wood, leaving the kiddies unable to cook, and thus starving, since they hadn't eaten since breakfast. Food is very important.

And so, four hours commenced, leaving me with tears welling up in my eyes and unable to breathe, smoke and ash settling against my skin like a warm blanket. The monkeys, cunning and vicious in their attacks, welled up from behind the trees, stealing the unhidden food and mosquito repellent. What? Monkeys can't hate them too?

As it was, 6 o'clock came round, and my other support was nowhere in sight. I stumbled down to OB from camp, feeling rejuvenated after food and a shower, only to notice the thunderstorm shaking the foundations of the building outside. If not for David's awesomeness, I would have never have made it back. As it was, I barely did. In flip flops, I stumbled up that hill, David's cagoule my only protection from the elements (plus trousers and a top of course) and a lantern, the tiniest pin prick in the all encompassing darkness.

If I seem a tad dramatic, it is because I don't think you will understand quite how strange the situation was without. I was searching for half an hour on what is a 3 minute walk, and still, the other support did not show, preferring to stay warm and dry in the Staff Quarters.

Alright, I won't deny. Once I found my hammock, I was amused. But until then? I'd gone from a red-eyed monster with hair askew, to a drowned rat, and neither were fun transformations.

Moving on, Eikken and Agnes have taught me further insults. Yay Malay!

Emily (or Amina or Amelya or Amelia or Amily, they apparently don't like the E)