(Written August 22nd)
Conservative? Well, last night I saw a woman at the supermarket in a suit… her skirt had a slit at the front/side, and it was, well, it was pretty damn high! She looked Chinese, I don’t know if she’s Malaysian or not, there are heaps of expats around the area… but either way… I wouldn’t have had the guts to wear that in Adelaide let alone Malaysia!!

Food: Awesome! Syrup… it’s a drink just like red cordial, possibly slightly thicker – awesome! I had Indian/Malay food today at lunch time… I was worried it’d be pretty spicy, but it seemed okay – I didn’t cry – yay! :) At dinner tonight I had a bite of someone’s sting ray – pretty good so I might get it myself sometime! On the menu at a Chinese restaurant near work last night was “Beef with ice cream”. I rekon I’ll have to try that sometime too if we go back there again, I’m just too curious! I've been asking around and none of the locals seem to have heard of it, I don't think it's exactly standard fare!

Work: Totally chilled out. Arrived at 9:05 this morning, the door was still locked! Everyone rocked up around 9:20. Nice office, fun people. Since it’s small (around 15 ppl) lunch is in 2 shifts to ensure there’s always people in the office – hahaha! Kind of random but makes sense.

People: Heaps of AIESEC trainees and UN interns as well! Seems like there’s dinner every night for some reason. It’s pretty cool.

Home: For now, am staying really close to work (around 15 mins walk) so it’s really handy. Living with Rafhael (Brazil) and Jeff (Brissy). Fridge is scary (all food is at least 3 weeks old) but we don’t cook anyway cos there’s no pots or pans, and it’s so cheap to eat out anyway. No washing machine so I will have to take my stuff to the laundry place (they do it for you) on the weekend. I have a huuuge room (my own) with a double bed and my own ensuite. It’s a room that I could never afford to rent! But it’s mine temporarily and it’s lovely! So I’m making the most of it :)

Random observations:
At the Indian/Malay (Mamak) place we ate lunch (and breaky!) at today, it’s all kind of open… fans above the tables, but no outer walls or anything. And along one side there was something like a watering system… mist was being sprayed down at regular intervals along the edge of the roof. A form of aircon, apparently, though I wonder how efficient it is…

We had dinner at some hawker stalls tonight, and lots of them (and a nearby poker hall) had signs saying “23 hours”. I asked and was told that they close for an hour (around 5 or 6am) for cleaning! Man! Why not go the extra hour and make it 24 hours?! Hehe seriously, 23 hours, that’s hardcore. Anyway, the food was cheap and good, so no complaints!

First Impressions

(Written August 21st, after 24 hours in KL)
Despite having caught up with a few people for farewell drinks the previous weekend, I don’t think it started to hit me that I was actually leaving until Friday. I finished work, and although there were no tears, there were one or two on the bus home. Although it’s nice to know that I probably won’t have a job where I have to wear a baseball cap again for a while, though never say never ;)

Friday was Cassie’s farewell drinks – she’s in Elliston (miss deputy CEO!) and Mel & Alan are off to Melbourne in a couple of weeks. The times they are indeed a-changing…

Saturday was chilled (why had I never been for a massage before?!), Sunday was D-day. Sunshine, blue sky, late breaky with the girls on the lawn at Henley Square admiring the beach and enjoying the early Spring. Again, I didn’t cry at the airport (man I’m getting tough!) but I think I was kinda tired (packing is harder when you actually have to wear work clothes to work!) and again, I just don’t think it had really sunk in yet. It still hasn’t.

Maybe it’s because I’ve thought for years now that when I graduate (never a certain point in time!) I’d probably do an internship overseas through the AIESEC program. And now I am.

Anyway, tomorrow I start work. In the meantime, a few of my observations thus far:

People: Great to catch up with Fabien again, and finally meet Chia Wei (who’s in charge of my reception) and Jeff from Brisbane, who started with the company last week. Hope to meet up with Sharms soon!

Wildlife: I saw a squirrel! At the apartment complex where I’m staying. Leaping along a long fence that goes uphill. Man, they’re fast!

Traffic: Well, I’m just glad it’s left-hand drive, it makes everything else less scary! Heaps of motorbikes, and I’ve been warned to carry my handbag on the other side of my body from the road as sometimes they get grabbed by people on bikes as they ride past! Scary…

Weather: Hot hot hot! Smog isn’t that bad actually! I had this bright idea to go for a walk this arvo at about 3… I was gone maybe 15 mins max! Needed a quick shower when I got back… ew… I’m SO not doing that again!

Signs: Most seem to be in English and Malay. Some are in Chinese or Arabic… Some might be in Hindi or Tamil, I wouldn’t know cos I don’t know what to look for!!

Food: Great so far! Roti for breakfast – and the curry sauces weren’t that hot! Well, I didn’t try the really red/fiery one, but the other two were fine :)

Bangsar: The area where I live and work. It’s pretty cool – the centre (where the office is) has lots of pubs, restaurants, bars and coffee shops, pretty international, and has a fun, relaxed feel to it. KL Sentral station is pretty nearby, so that’ll be good for exploring the city!

Alive and well!

YES I am still alive!
NO I don't have internet access where I'm staying right now!
YES I will have a more permanent home soon (soon = sometime...!)

I will wrote heaps in my diary so will upload some in installments! Stay tuned...

Update - the quick version!

Days until I leave for KL: 11 - YAY!
Huge holes in my mouth where there were once wisdom teeth: 4 (Ugh...)
Old friends back in Adelaide: 1 - Lucy!
Hours at uni this semester: zero - I graduated last week! :)