The first few weeks

Steve and I had a great time writing our blog last year so we thought it'd be nice to start one again, all about our move to Malaysia. Hopefully, it'll help us keep in touch with more people from home as well.

Well...nearly three weeks ago we flew out to Malaysia (two 7-hour flights and a long stop in Dubai wasn't the best but at least it was paid for). Slight fear that we might get sent straight back home again since we didn't have visas yet but it was very painless and smooth in the end. So begun the induction/orientation to Tenby International School for both of us. The first week was a bit of a blur of jetlag, eating out and generally lots of socialising. Also rushing around looking for accomodation, cars, opening bank accounts and lots of filling in forms. But from the first meeting, we've felt incredibly welcome and well looked after. They really help you to settle in and nothing was too much trouble for the school minibus driver who spent many an hour driving us around!

It struck us very early on that eating out is a way of life here and one we'd happily get used to when a meal is under a fiver and always delicious. There's such a choice from Indian to Thai and Chinese. Discovered a love for deep fried aubergine but so far avoided the fish head curry! Sadly, though, beer is very expensive - often 3 times the cost of your meal or more. We're reliably informed we need the 'booze man' who imports it from Langkawi where it's duty free. Steve's going to place an order tomorrow!

Getting set up with somewhere to live, bank account, transport and internet has been a bit of a mad rush before school starts but we've managed it. Even if it did take 17 signatures to set up a bank account! Apartment hunting turned out to be pretty fun, what you can get for your money amazed us. We've ended up on the 10th Floor of the Surin, a newly built complex with infinity pool, gym and a lovely view of the sea from our balcony. Here's a few pictures of it:

Trying to buy a car was less succesful - due to the extortionate rate of import tax on foreign cars the only option is a malaysian car. And they really hold their value - no chance of picking up an old banger for dirt cheap, its more like 2 grand for a 20 year old Proton with 200,000 miles on the clock! So we opted to lease one which is suiting us very well and not too expensive. But it's certainly not a car you can say you're proud to be driving...

 

A simple medical check up for your work permit turned out to be rather 'unexpected' as a colleague so accurately described it. A urine sample which you then parade around reception for all to see, then a rather scary poke around in your abdomen by the doctor was all a bit disconcerting to say the least. Seem to have passed the test though.

 

It's only been a week now since the kids have started back at school but I can honestly say they are a pleasure to teach. It's why you go into teaching, and what you spend your time naively hoping for... kids who want to learn, appreciate your efforts and even thank you for them! And a system that gives you the freedom to enjoy teaching without constant reminders of the dreaded OFSTED. It's easy to see how people get hooked on the international circuit. But on the down side, the local teacher training can be extremely poor so there are colleagues who have never considered using a starter, or differentiating their lessons, or even using any form of praise. It's quite an eye opener to realise how rigorous the PGCE is in the UK. So managing a department will have its challenges but I'm enjoying getting stuck into it.

 

Steve's not been sitting idle (though there have been a few trips to the pool). He's met with his new employer in KL, been exploring other areas in Penang like Georgetown and Batu Ferrenghi and had a meeting and lunch with the director of the Penang Heritage Trust. He's going to a lecture with the leader of Georgetown World Heritage Incorporate on saturday. He's also been sweating a fair bit with squash, tennis, football and swimming keeping him busy. He's meeting a very well connected bloke tomorrow called Zahry to talk about opportunities in Penang. He has a finger in a lot of pies including the Penang council so seems a very good man to know.  His work visa is being processed at the moment and he hopes to start work at EC Harris from the 16th September.

 

Well that's it for now, hopefully won't be such a long one next time. I can't believe no food pictures have made it in this time! So to finish off, here's the view from our apartment balcony at 7am this morning...Sorry, had to be done ;)