September 16th, 2011
Exciting times ahead
I have very exciting news to share! I’m getting married!
Right…wtf. Couldn’t resist hahaha
But this piece of news is actually even more exciting than that! Yesterday, I found out which school I’ll be placed at and which subject I will be teaching!!!!!!
I was in the gym when Shannon from Teach For Malaysia called me, so I said I’ll call her back later. She called back after 5 minutes and said SUET I CAN’T WAIT FOR YOU TO CALL ME BACK, I need to tell you that you’re placed at SMK Teriang Hilir and you’ll be teaching English! Hahahahha she’s sooo cute!
So yes, I will be at Simpang Durian, Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan for the next two years! I specifically told them I want a rural school over an urban school because I thought if I’m trying something so unconventional already as it is, might as well go all out and do something I will never ever get to do again! Live in an area that is so far from home, a part of Malaysia so unlike my comfortable suburbia life.
I don’t think I’d feel right being in my poverty-stricken school dealing with people from low income households, only to drive 15 minutes back to my comfortable home and privileged life after that. I feel like then I wouldn’t get to immerse myself fully in what I’m doing, that there’ll be such a huge disconnect everytime I leave the school and the kids.
I know it does sound quite noble to want to relocate to a very different place and environment for this, but of course I do fear how incredibly challenging it’ll be too. I’ll be around very different people than those I’m used to, doing completely different things and living a vastly different life. Funny how it’s only going to be 2 hours from Klang Valley, but I’m sure it’ll be quite foreign to me. But I’ll always remember that if it’s not challenging then it’s not worth doing!
So, about this place! Some people from the team have visited the school and kept raving to me how beautiful that area is. I google imaged it and true enough!
Credits to Momoc Blog for that picture.
Simpang Durian is actually famous for its durian, which is bad for me cause I LOVE DURIAN TO DEATH. I don’t want to OD on it T___T
And I’ll be teaching English! Quite unexpected actually, I kinda thought I was going to teach Math and Science but it’s a good pleasant surprise still 
Need to start thinking of creative ways to teach a completely foreign language to these students.
AHGHHH I AM BEYOND EXCITED! (and scared) BUT MORE EXCITED THAN ANYTHING! I can imagine myself going to this place and frantically taking pictures like a tourist already wtf. Actually! my parents want to take a roadtrip there so they can check it out first before I go. Hearing this makes me happy cause it means they’re finally supportive of my teaching job 
I really hope I’ll have internet connection still though..I can do without the general comforts of life (okay maybe the much younger me could, but I will learn to adapt..) but I need my internets! Broadband will have to do I guess.
Alright that’s all for now, this weekend I’m following a bunch of EPIC folks to Kuala Kubu Bahru cause they’re building a house for an Orang Asli widow. Thought I’ll try it out so I can get used to rolling my sleeves up and roughing it out wtf. I’ve been such a girly put-makeup-wear-a-dress-girl for so long so I hope I can get used to this fast!
Oh also, Happy Malaysia Day! Spend this weekend wisely
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i am so envious and i wish i have your courage to do TFM. Education has always been something that i think will significantly change a person’s life. all the best for the coming 2 years. You will definitely improve those children life, opportunities and inspire them a way or another.
Woohoo!! I’m so happy… and proud of you *like an crazy parent* haha… Life is much more amazing and special and purposeful when you are making a difference in other’s life… so thumbs up to you .. for doing something that most people would not the courage to do.. I hereby certify you MAD in today’s world!!!! *grins*
*MAD = making a difference
Sounds exciting, i’ve been to Jelebu many times for a project at fresh water fisheries research centre in jelebu. Do look out for a chinese village call Titi in Jelebu, its a very nice secluded chinese community which always reminded me the picture of an old village in Hong Kong. you know with ketua kampung, and all the neighbours know each other.
All the best ya.
great job! i always believe that only education can change one’s life. and i am going to step into this field too.wish u good luck! =) jia you!
teaching English! you can teach them that my bonnie song but updated to the modern times!
my bonnie lies over the ocean
my bonnie lies over the sea
my father lies over my mother
and that’s how i came to be wtf
i have an adult question for you! will you buy star or pokemon stickers to paste on your students’ homework wtf
Jelebu is my dad’s hometown! you should visit Kuala Klawang and Titi. btw, the chinese community there are mainly Hakka folks, so do try their pan mee and other Hakka kuihs. all the best to you!!
I feel so proud of you as a fellow malaysian. Words can’t describe how i feel but i just wanted to say, thank you for making malaysia a better place.
1. Right, you need to tell the readers, ie me, are you getting married for real? That’s a good opening, you totally got my attention.
2. I wish you have chosen Tawau to teach! To nurture naughty students like me but full of potentials
SO EXCITED FOR YOUUUUUUUU!!! CAN I GO VISIT YOU
Suet, if i ever meet you in person can i give you a big hug and a pat on your back? hahaha
Yay, so exciting!! Can we visit you over the weekends? Hehe. If we can find enough people and a driver lah…
No way Simpang Durian is like 10 minutes away from my kampung Simpang Pelangai I’ll be sure to look out for you whenever I balik kampung and go grocery shopping in Simpang Durian wtf my pakcik is a policeman there don’t naughty naughty ah Suet wtf
Good luck!!!
happy for u..^^
I think you definitely made the right choice to go all the way! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so why not make the most of it! Cannot wait for you to start blogging about your experiences!
p.s. I have no idea why I end most of my sentences with exclamation marks!
This is actually darn cool. Didn’t know you’d love teaching in rural places
Go Suet Li, you’re definitely up my cool list now
mel, im sure you have the courage too! i wish you do think about doing it
thanks! i really hope so too!
esther, hahah! so cute! thanks
susan, ahh sounds interesting!!! thanks for the heads up
xiao qing, good luck to u too!
strawberry, hahahahahhhaha why U SO DAMN STUPID AH WHY WHY WHY. and i dunno if 13 and 14 year olds still like stickers wtf
khim, yay i cant wait!!
a, aww thank you so much for your encouragement!!
ccc, hahaha! i want to go east msia too, maybe next time
yvonne, YES PLS YES!!!!
bs, hahaha make sure you remember ah!
ubikentang, yes pls visit!!!!!
natasha, haha cool!!! yay ask him to jaga me!
stephanie, thanks!
norick, aww thanks
fauxfashionista, yeah i cant wait also man! haha cos u also feel excited for me!!
seth, aww thanks!! yay now im a cool cikgu
eh why you answer limau’s question to me wtf
Sounds awesome, good job on jumping in all the way!
hah???? u seriously want to marry the old wolf.
ayah bonda , apa jadi ni
Nothing sounds better than doing something which your interest lies in, and moreover, meaningful to do it.
All the best to your teaching career.
Am pretty sure all the children in the school will benefits from your teaching
Good luck girl! I am sooo proud of u.
What about Sabah?? or Sarawak??
congratulations! proud of you especially cos it’s not gonna be easy <3<3
Thank you for being such an inspiration, Suet!
this post makes me tear for some reason! you have my respect. go make a difference!
wow that looks like a really nice place.all the best suet!i support u!;)
Hey Suet Li! It’s been sooo long since I last visited your blog, had a bit of free time and decided to drop by. Realized how MUCH I’VE MISSED! And really REALLY surprised with what you’re going to do! I think it’s amazing. Truly inspiring, missy. Love your enthusiasm on doing this, I can sense how genuine you are. Good luck to you girl! <3 .
Jia you teacher! You have a great heart and those kids are bless to have such a good teacher *hugs*
oh my!!!! Good luck, Suet!!! ;D wish the best for you! Can’t wait to hear your stories there! Maybe you shouldn’t write anything on your blog, but on your own journal instead. Maybe one day you can publish your experience there as a book and I will totally buy it!!! =D
I’m so amazeeeeddd at how courageous you are and also your willing heart
http://ahkamkoko.blogspot.com/ is also an english teacher is a sort of rural area.
awwwwwwww congrats babie !!!!!! AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WISHED U ON MSN ALREADYYYYY ALSO BUT U NO ONLINE !!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a very noble cause and am truly inspired by how driven you are heading towards your passion.This is not an easy step nor feat but I’m sure you’ll come out of it thoroughly happy and gain much more worth and experience hand in hand. All the best and do take care!
Wow! You’re on TV today!
my mom was born in Jelebu.my dad too. I spent my school holidays in Jelebu. Oh! I love,love this place. It’s the best. Downtown Jelebu with the row of shops. The ic kachang and noodle stores. The old theatre with the leaky roof and mosquitoes and the bridge from town to village. Enjoy your stay and happy teaching.