"The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more."

Mommy, Daddy – the last time we spoke, you said “Have fun on the rest of your vacation.” Vacation, not internship. Haha! I realize that my flurry of posts deal more with surfing and motorcycles than with the work I’m doing. After all, all work and no play makes Jill a dull girl…or something like that! So here goes, an entire post dedicated to work.

My internship is through AIESEC, the largest student-run organization in the world. AIESEC is an international platform for young people to discover and develop their leadership potential so as to make a positive impact on society. This is done primarily by facilitating a global exchange program. In 2003, AIESEC formed a partnership with the Standard Chartered Bank in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The partnership is founded on a peer-to-peer education program – a program designed by the youth for the youth. The goal of the program is to educate 300,000 youth globally on HIV/AIDS by the year 2010.

Growing up in Canada, HIV/AIDS has always seemed like a mythical disease that exists somewhere out there. It’s not until you get to ‘there’ that the disease begins to take on a personality – a face that cannot be ignored, a voice that cannot be silenced. 40 million people worldwide are living with HIV. 2 million people die each year from AIDS. Young people, under the age of 25, account for half of the new HIV infections worldwide. Progress, particularly in the developing world, cannot take place unless we stop the devastating sprawl of this deathly disease.

That’s where we come in. Together with 6 other interns, I deliver HIV/AIDS workshops to secondary schools and colleges around Malaysia. The workshops are about 2 hours long and are conducted to an audience of anywhere from 50-200 people.

It has been quite the experience. I think the thing that has surprised me most is how young the students appear. When we talk about how HIV is transmitted, it’s often the first time the kids have heard the word ‘sex’. And they are just a few years younger than me.

I will never forget the first workshop I delivered at a secondary school in Shah Alam. We were treated like royalty. The teachers could not stop thanking us for coming. The kids cheered when I said I was from Canada. I told them about our snowy winters and they were in utter disbelief. I have never seen a group of teenagers so eager to learn, so curious about the world, so full of life. It was most certainly a humbling experience.

In addition to conducting workshops, we organize events to promote the awareness of HIV/AIDS. Two weeks ago, we organized an HIV/AIDS Carnival, complete with a fashion show, dance performance and interactive games.

In my 6 weeks here, I have delivered 19 workshops and educated nearly 1600 students. To be able to see the impact I’m having each day, to be able to equip young students with the knowledge to make informed choices in life – it’s been an incredibly rewarding experience.

This post would not be complete without a special message to a special person…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ADIL!

'Cause Daddy Said...

I am writing this entry from a hostel in Penang. It's a short post with a simple message.

Daddy, thanks for staying up with me until the wee hours of the morning helping me tackle those algebraic equations.

Thanks for taking me golfing every year on the first day of summer -- and being patient every time I sunk the ball in the bunker (...which to my dismay, was more than enough times for the both of us!)

Thanks for coaching my baseball team year after year. I was always proud to say, "that's my dad!"

Thanks for attending all of my parent-teacher interviews in spite of having a million deals on the go.

Thanks for letting me drive circles around the GO station the day after I got my drivers license. You must have been so bored but you just let me do my thing...for hours and hours!

Thanks for teaching me that there is no greater virtue than integrity, no greater pursuit than striving to lead a balanced life, and no greater pleasure than sleeping in on a Sunday morning!

You are an exceptional dad. I'm so proud to be your daughter.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DADDY-O!!

Ballin' in Bali, Baby!

I am on a mad, slightly outlandish mission to see every nook and cranny of Southeast Asia before the end of my internship. This desire led me straight to Bali, Indonesia – no passing Go, no collecting $200.

Bali is the kind of place where you take off your watch, let your hair down and bask under the sun forever. You leave your stress at the departure gate, and hope it miraculously disappears when you get back to reality. The single most important thing on everyone’s mind is how to get a good tan. Something I unfortunately have no problem with - I have become so karo! In Bali, you let go of your inhibitions and just embrace life fully. Our motto for the weekend: try everything once. Before you read on, make sure your seatbelt is securely fastened because these last four days have been one heck of a roller coaster ride!

Adventure #1: Bali is where surfers around the world unite, all looking to catch the perfect wave. You will never believe this but I am now a proud member of that group. No April Fool’s joke, no ‘just kidding’ coming. I actually surfed! It is so much harder than beach-blond Californian surfer dudes make it look on the Discovery Channel. When a big wave hits, you have literally seconds to paddle, push yourself up and jump onto your feet, while maintaining balance, keeping your head forward and steering with your legs so you don’t hit the million other surfers all trying to do the exact same thing as you. Better yet, the board is strapped to your ankle so you must catch the wave at the correct angle or you risk being smacked square in the face with your own board. The cardinal rule of surfing: don’t think, just do. I think too much ergo, I make a terrible surfer. But I can proudly say I surfed in Bali. Cowabanga dude!

Posing with Rudy, my surfing instructor.

Adventure #2: What better way to enjoy the beauty of Bali than by watching the vibrant colours of the sunset while listening to the waves crashing against the rocks…all on a horse! I went on a two hour horseback ride along the beach and through a Balinese village. I felt like a character straight out of a fairytale. It was delightful.

Adventure #3: Later that night, I swapped my horse for a totally rocking, completely amazing motorcycle. A motorcycle! Learning how to ride it was relatively easy. Navigating through the narrow streets of Bali was a much tougher task. There are no traffic lights, no stop signs, no traffic rules…and you drive on the wrong side of the road. But once you get started, goodness you cannot stop! Riding a motorcycle with the wind wisping through your hair is the most liberating experience ever. I loved every second of it. And I think riding a motorcycle through the streets of Bali officially puts me on the cool scale!

By day 3, every single part of my body ached. Through surfing, horseback riding and dancing the nights away, I discovered muscles in my body that I had no idea existed! So we opted for something less adventurous - a 12 hour day tour of the island. We started off the morning watching a traditional Balinese performance. The performers used music, dance and acting to portray the endless struggle between good and evil.

Next we ventured to Ubud – the art district of Bali – and witnessed gold and silver jewelry, wooden sculptures and traditional Balinese art being crafted from scratch.

From there, we visited an ancient Hindu temple, one of about a kazillion on the island. In fact, since Hinduism is the predominant religion in Bali, every house has its own temple. I bet they have no trouble with reserving chairs! There are thousands of statues that adorn the grounds of the temple. My favourite was Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. Students present offerings to this goddess before writing a big exam. It’s apparently a sure fire way of acing it. Mommy, Daddy - I suppose you must send me back to Indonesia before tackling my grad school exam in August!

After the temple, we visited a plantation to see how tea and coffee are made from scratch. There was an elderly woman, perhaps in her seventies, stirring a pot full of coffee beans over a hot fire. One kilo of coffee needs to be stirred for 3 hours before it is ready for brewing. Their most expensive and sought after coffee undergoes a bit of a different process. I rather not explain, just see the picture below..

We ended the day by watching the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen. It was absolutely exquisite!

Adventure #4: Left the hotel at 1am. Arrived in Batur at 3:30am. Began climbing Mount Batur, an active volcano, at 4:00am under a starlit sky. Drenched in sweat by 5:00am. Reached the peak at 6:45am. Watched the sunrise from 1717 metres above ground. The experience was beyond words..

Bali is only 1 of 17,508 islands in Indonesia. One down, only 17,507 more to see!

Heart Missing. Please Report If Found.

It’s June! I am exactly halfway done my internship in Malaysia and with only 4 weeks to go, there still remains much to do and see. Satiated with this thirst to explore Southeast Asia, I did the only rational thing I could think of – I packed my bags, bought a bus ticket and headed to Singapore.

Shayne, I followed your itinerary to the tee. Slept at “Sleepy Sam’s”, a quaint hostel located beside the Sultan Mosque. It was incredible waking up every morning to the sound of Quranic ayyats being blasted over a loud speaker. I spent a day at Sentosa Island, a beautiful beach resort, and crossed a bridge to the southernmost point of Asia. I experienced the nightlife at Clarke Quay – a definite must see for all club-lovers. A personal favourite was a lounge called “The Clinic” – people sat in hospital beds and were served drinks through syringes and IV bags. I even made a trip to McDonalds, as you advised, for chicken nuggets with curry sauce. Lonely Planet has nothing on you, Mr. Shayne!

Singapore brought out the Dora the Explorer in me. Map in hand, I spent every waking moment gallivanting around the country. Daddy, your directional-sense genes certainly came in handy. When I did lose my way, I happened upon a fabulous shopping centre. It was no Fairweathers, but still some things never change! You need but spend only a minute in the country to realize that shopping is its national obsession. Here’s some advice to anyone planning on shopping in Singapore – bring shin guards, elbow pads and a helmet…preferably with a face cage. It’s an absolute necessity on Orchard Road. I’m thanking my lucky stars – in spite of it being the annual Great Singapore Sale, I managed to walk away with only minor bruising.

If there were ever such a thing as perfection, Singapore would be it. It’s modern and progressive, but still grounded in a rich history. It’s a country that embodies culture. Visits to both the Singapore Art Museum and Asian Civilizations Museum, complete with an entire wing dedicated to Islamic art, were highlights of the trip.

The nerd in me led me to the 13-storey National Library of Singapore. Wherever you go, there you are!

You can be halfway across the world and yet home can feel so near. Shayne, I thought of you every time I saw a sign for SMU.

And Safia, you’re famous! An entire street named in your honor.

Food is most definitely high on the list of priorities in Singapore. We met up with fellow AIESEC-ers for a traditional local dinner. I ate fried noodles, grilled stingray and even barbequed cow’s lungs. Sounds disgusting but was actually quite good! Full and barely able to move, we walked along the quay to a kebab house. Apparently, cow’s lungs were just Round 1. Round 2 included kebabs and roti. Next, we hobbled out of the restaurant to…a gym. Just kidding. A gym would be the sensible place to go after everything we consumed. But no, the AIESECers led us to a dessert place. Round 3. Shaved ice with fresh fruit and corn. Unbelievable. I was subsequently rolled out of the restaurant…

They say when in Asia, act like the Asians. There is nothing more Asian than spending your Friday night at a karaoke lounge. It was surprisingly so much fun! I vow to henceforth never mock another person for their love for karaoke, as I am now a self-proclaimed karaoke convert. Take a look:

My last stop in Singapore was to the Fountain of Wealth. It’s listed in the Guinness Book of World Records, as the largest fountain in the world. It is believed that if you walk around the fountain clockwise three times with your right hand in the water and whisper all of your wishes, they are guaranteed to come true. The instructions are quite specific but I wouldn’t dare mess with them…God knows what could happen!

Walking around the fountain, I prayed for all of you writing big exams this summer and those still anxiously waiting for good news (…that I know will come!) I prayed for strength and perfect health for all those undergoing any kind of sickness. I prayed that our days be filled with a sunshine that radiates every corner of our lives. I prayed that we are enveloped by a love that conquers all obstacles that come our way. I prayed that we take a moment each day to savour the beauty of this world. If there is anything I have learned over the last four weeks, it’s that life is such a precious gift. A gift to be explored, a gift to be appreciated, a gift to be lived to the fullest... And perhaps most importantly, I prayed for the Pittsburgh Penguins to win the Stanley Cup.

I lost my heart in Singapore but it certainly has not seen the last of me – this is only Round 1!

P.S My heart is not the only thing I lost in Singapore. Yup, you guessed it. I lost another toenail. I think I may be in line for a Guinness World Record myself!

Time to tickle those taste buds!

Between devious monkeys and lost toenails, I’ve failed to mention Malaysia’s one true indulgence. More fanatical than their passion for Manchester United, more fervent than their infatuation with knock-off Coach bags and yes, even more captivating than their karaoke craze. Malaysians are irrevocably in love with food – and rightfully so. The fusion of cultures lends way to a tantalizing array of dishes that tickles the taste buds of any food enthusiast. This one deserves a post all on its own.

The blue energy in me wanted to structure this entry into breakfast, lunch and dinner, but the Malaysian diet has no structure, no pattern, no method to the madness. They just eat, all the time. Alas, you cannot blame them. Just take a look at what’s on the menu…

Side note: I apologize in advance if this makes your mouth water!

Traditional Malay Food
Whether in the heart of KL or the outskirts of Subang Jaya, you’re bound to find Nasi Lemak – it’s rice steamed with coconut milk and garnished with nuts, cucumbers and boiled eggs. It’s a staple breakfast item but also a welcomed lunch or dinner meal. No structure, lah!

Another heavy weight on the food scene is Roti canai – roti bread served with daal and fish curry. I tend to fancy its sweet counterpart – Roti paper, aka the Harry Potter Sorting Hat.

My favourite meal to date was at the Pasar Manam (night market) in Kampung Baru, KL. Think the CNE, flea market and a hundred garage sales all rolled up into a vibrant hive of commercial activity – that’s the night market. It’s a shopper’s paradise! If the charm of pirated DVDs and fake Gucci sunglasses are not enough to draw you in, the smell of barbequed chicken drizzled in peanut sauce and fried bananas will definitely get you. Guaranteed. For the more adventuresome, there is always fried pigeon!

Comfort Food
When home feels like it’s light years away, there’s always the familiar feel of Burger King, Starbucks and McDonalds. But even they have their own Malaysian twist. Chili sauce is a given, you must make a special request for ketchup. Fast food takes twice as long and is three times more expensive as the traditional Malay food. And Daddy, much to your dismay, some restaurants charge extra for ice!

I do have a weekly splurge that racks incredibly high on my list of expenses – peanut butter. A small jar costs the equivalent of four Malay meals. Waaah!

As divine as the food is here, nothing compares to Nanima’s food back home…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NANIMA!

P.S. The debate over Nanima’s actual date of birth is as controversial as the question ‘who is the favourite Premji child?’ (…and of course, Baby Ma’s opinion matters most on the latter dispute.) Since it’s May 28th here and May 27th right now in Toronto, I figure we’ve got it covered this year. We love you, Nanima!

A Little Taste of Paradise

I just celebrated my 2 week anniversary in Malaysia. What better way to celebrate than a weekend getaway to paradise! And by paradise, I really mean Palau Pangkor in Perek. Lonely Planet describes Palau Pangkor as the girl-next-door of beaches in Malaysia. If Pangkor is the girl next door, I never want to move!

The weekend getaway began on Friday evening after work. I met up with my Dutch travel buddies – Tessa, Arwen and Patrick – and boarded a bus from KL. The 4-hour bus ride out of Selangor to the state of Perek turned into a 6 hour adventure, as the bus decided to leave 2 hours late. Gotta love Malaysian time!

We stayed the night in a hostel in Lumut and then boarded a ferry to Pangkor Island on Saturday morning. Palau Pangkor is only 8 sq km but is bequeathed with jungles, fisheries and my sole purpose of going there, gorgeous beaches!


We lacked the courage to tackle the hilly terrains on motorbikes and instead opted to hire a taxi to tour the island. Be warned, I fully intend on riding a motorbike at least once before I leave Malaysia. But really, what’s the worst that could happen? I lose another toenail?! On that note, I must say with much regret that I lost another toenail this weekend. At least, it’s on the other foot this time. Mommy and Daddy – you’ve always said life is about balance, right?

We stopped over at the Dutch forts (appropriately enough!) and a Chinese temple with a miniature version of the Great Wall of China. Later that afternoon, we lounged on the beach of Teluk Batik and watched the sunset. Incredible. Teluk Batik was mainly populated with locals from neighbouring areas. Swimming with Malays is definitely an experience! The cultural expectations dictate Malaysian women wear long pants, long sleeve shirts and head coverings while swimming. And here we were in bikinis!


We spent the rest of the night at the hotel playing cards while listening to locals engage in their favourite past time – karaoke. They even sang Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. I was incredibly tempted to join in. Nasreen, you would have been proud!


On Sunday, we spent the day at Coral Beach. Just imagine – white sand, blue-green water, completely deserted. Our own paradise.


It was incredibly difficult to leave Palau Pangkor on Sunday evening. I think the toughest part was knowing that we could never really come back. You can visit a place again but it’s never quite the same. People and places are constantly changing, evolving with time. Certainly makes you savour each moment...



I arrived back in Subang Jaya on Sunday night – one less toenail, a heck of a lot darker and filled with amazing memories from the weekend!

Monkeys, Elephants and Roosters…oh my!

In Hamilton, when in need of a study break, you go play basketball. In Malaysia, you visit caves and sacred shrines! Here are some of the cool adventures I’ve had over the past few days.

Look-Out Point
KL is a dynamic city filled with everything from bustling night markets, crowded mamaks (outdoor restaurants) and a buzzing nightlife. Masjids and museums contribute to its rich cultural sphere while towering skyscrapers and Gucci and Prada stores infuse the city with a hint of modernity. Tourists hungry to see the city pay an arm and a leg to go up the KL tower – the fifth tallest tower in the world. Sometimes the best things in life really do come for free. We drove on winding roads up the mountain and then climbed what seemed like a bajillion stairs to get to a look-out point in Ampang. The view of KL was spectacular. Absolutely breath-taking.

Side note: KL has a peculiarly large number of stairs cases. Forget about gym memberships – just come to Malaysia and you’ll accomplish that New Year’s resolution in no time!

Batu Caves
No Shayne, not the nah-nah-nah Batman Caves (…although it did seem like the Batmobile would suddenly appear!) The Batu Caves are 400 million years old and are actually one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world. In order to get to the cave you must, yes you guessed it, climb a bajillion stairs. 272 stairs to be exact. Each stair is numbered – perhaps, so you can plan your pit stops along the way?!

The caves were impressive to say the least. Dark and mysterious, letting in only pockets of sunlight. By my inquiry-deduced logic and years of Warner Brothers conditioning, I figured the caves would house bats. But no sirry bob. No bats, just monkeys. I speculate it’s one of those ‘when you hear hoofbeats think of a zebra’ type of puzzles. The Batu Caves were filled with monkeys – and not just normal monkeys but monkeys with an attitude. Monkeys who prey on unsuspecting tourists snatching water bottles, cameras, sunglasses…really anything in sight. I survived 2 near monkey attacks. Let it be known that I have absolutely no inclination to ever go back to the Batu Caves again!

A Thousand Dragons
After experiencing a traditional Hindu shrine, we then ventured to Thean Hou Temple, also known as the Temple of a Thousand Dragons. The entire place was ordained with Chinese lanterns and dragons. Beautiful!

Kuala Gandeh Elephant Conservation
I must say that after experiencing the wrath of monkeys, I was a tad hesitant to embrace other forms of wildlife again. Not only did I see elephants but I fed them, rode them and swam with them too. It was the most incredible experience!

More adventures to come. Stay tuned!