My first real blog

Well......... I'm here. In one piece. Seemlessly at that! Perhaps I am getting better at this whole traveller thing... I mean I ran into more snags moving to Calgary than I did here. Mind you I haven't found a place to live yet. For now I have been flatting it out hotel hopping enjoying the luxuries of being a westerner. Actually .. there have been some expensive purchases.. i had to get a power converter... like the goof i am i put it off until my arrival.. desperate to use my oh so loved lap-top.. and furstrated with having trouble finding things.. i settled on the first place that sold it.. a huge electronics department store in the mega-city mall.. for about 60 $ canadian... not to mention its huge

I stayed in the YMCA in Kuala Lumpur for 2 nights... things weren't much different than the hostels in Canada except it was 30 Canadian a night. Now they don't have room so I had to move my stuff to another hotel down the street.. hotel florida.

Observations:
I think people have mixed attitudes towards foreigners. I guess they think I am from the states so I am kind of surprised people aren't more rude with me. I think I find the worst encounters when the people have trouble speaking english. I should probably try to start learning some local dialects. Although I'm not exactly sure where I should start. I wish there was a place I could go to with all of my questions.. unfortunately the world doesn't revolve around me... who woulda thunk it? I mean no red carpet? whats the deal?

Not that people are overly rude.. they just aren't overly polite. The wouldn't break their back to help me... like when I was struggling down the street with my oversized luggage... not that I would get the same help in canada... maybe the people here are about as equal in terms of courtesy....

okay enough about the people ... on the the food!!!

The food... wow! Nothing here is overly cheap... accept for the food. and food... everywhere!!! i have no doubt that wherever you were in the city you wouldn't be a stones throw from some sort of food vendor... a nice touch... also read in some other journals... diced fruit in plastic bags sprinked will a little sea salt ... just perfect on a hot muggy day.... the food is mainly a mix of indian and chinese restaurants... the same you'd find in toronto perhaps accept everything tastes a bit more authentic.. a bit more organic... and much more simple... twice i had indian food for dinner... simply rice, chicken and a veggie side (for about 3 dollars canadian!!!) i had chinese for lunch... wonton soup... 1.50 canadian!!!

the transportation is also cheap... and supposedly the lodgeing is cheap (which I have had some much appreciated help looking for)


Well i guess thats al for now!

until next time.. same bat time and same bat channel

FAQ's

If you have any questions that aren't addressed in this section please don't hesitate to ask away.

Where would we be without the right questions?

QUESTIONS:
Q1: Why am I going all the way to Malaysia just to build a website? Can't I do that from Toronto???

Q2: How did I get this internship.

ANSWERS
A1: GREAT QUESTION!!! To be honest... I'm not completely sure myself. Not that I'm questioning the worth of this internship. I have no doubt that this opportunity is going to be priceless for me and as a result (because I am part of a bigger picture) for the 'bigger picture'.
Okay for some better answers...

• Please read the rest of my blog... especially in four months from now when my work is finished... hopefully the bigger picture part will be a little more clear.

• Check out the SCAMS AND FRAUD warning at Craig's List.

A2: I graduated in May 2006. It is now January 2007. I bring this up because I think the most important rules for finding happiness in this transitional point in our lives is to stay patient, persistent and busy.

• see my links post for the actual website I applied to
  

Links

Here are some links relevant to my internship:

1. Netcorps
This organization provided a training session for all of the HRI interns as well as other international interns from different sending organizations. They are the organization I originally applied for the internship to.


2. Human Rights Internet
This is the organization that selected my application for an internship with ARROW. They are the ones that have aquired funding from the Canadian Government in order to fund this internship.


3. ARROW
I will be working for this organization. They already have an excellent website.

Welcome

Hello, everyone.

If you haven't already figured out - I am going to Malaysia. You have travelled to this page either because I directed you here or because someone else did.

Regardless, I thank you for your attention and precious time. I hope you find this site informative and useful.

This is what you are going to find here:
- updates of my adventures and (more importantly misadventures)
- pictures!! (hopefully lots of them)
- answers to frequently asked questions
- info. about the work I am doing in Kuala Lumpur
- info. about the wonderful organizations that are all making this possible