Look how little I look!

Kek Lok Si Temple (under construction)
The top level encompasses a gold, silver, and diamond Buddha statue which is being protected and is not available for public viewing

Turtle pond symbolizing long life!

One more thing, today I was in my room with Rebecca and we got a knock at the door. When we opened, we found our interport student from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, who just arrived today. Her named is Phup ...I can't really pronounce it, but I think one of the p's sounds like an f. She was really nice and Rebecca and her made plans for tomorrow (I will be leaving for KL). It's so cool we get people from around the world traveling with us and teaching us about their lives and cultures. ...Alright, time for a few pictures!

I am just about to post a few pictures and I have noticed something interesting in both India and Malaysia, and will find it in the coming Asian countries as well. The swastika, widely known as the German Nazi symbol, carries an extremely negative stigma, while around the world - is connected to peace and religion. It is found on clothing garments, jewelry, and temples. "The symbol as it is used in Buddhist art and scripture is known in Japanese as a manji (literally, "the character for eternality", and represents Dharma, universal harmony, and the balance of opposites. When facing left, it is the omote (front) manji, representing love and mercy. Facing right, it represents strength and intelligence, and is called the ura (rear) manji. Balanced manji are often found at the beginning and end of Buddhist scriptures (outside India). Because of the association of the right-facing swastika with Nazism, Buddhist manji (outside India only) after the mid-20th century are almost universally left-facing. In Hinduism, the two symbols represent the two forms of the creator god Brahma: facing right it represents the evolution of the universe, facing left it represents the involution of the universe. It is also seen as pointing in all four directions (north, east, south and west) and thus signifies stability and groundedness. Its use as a sun symbol can first be seen in its representation of the god Surya. The swastika is considered extremely holy and auspicious by all Hindus, and is regularly used to decorate items related to Hindu culture."I find it interesting that something that hurts so many, is seen as peace and harmony for the rest of the world.

Penang, Malaysia

Today is my first day in Malaysia. At about 9am we were allowed to get off the ship, only this time, we aren't docked at land. We have to take something called a tender boat, which can hold about 100 people but is surprisingly small. It is very rocky near the ship, so it is a little difficult getting on and off and I found myself feeling nauseous on the short ride over. Luckily it is just that...short. ...About a 10 minute ride. This morning I had an FDP (field directed practica) for my drawing class to the Kek Lok Si Temple. It is a Chinese name and means Temple of Paradise. It was beautiful there, with the architecture influence by the Burmese, Thai, and Chinese. It was so peaceful and relaxing. It started raining pretty hard, but it actually made it that much more relaxing. After visiting the temple and climbing to the top, I found a little store with souvenirs. I saw this little spinner toy that reminded me of my cat Teddybear, because when he was little we had one and we used to throw it in the air and he would catch it and bring it back to us. We lost the disk that flew, so when I saw this, I had to get it for him :) I also found a magnet of the temple (I collect them from each country).

Tomorrow I am leaving in the morning to go to Kuala Lumpur, home of the world's tallest tower (Petronas) for 2 nights and 3 days. The last day I am going to an orphanage in Penang. I'm excited, and still trying to kick this bug, so staying in tonight trying to feel better.

So let's see, the only thing new on the ship is that yesterday was an A day for classes, and I had Philosophy in the morning. The last A day I was sick and didn't make it, so when I went in yesterday I planned on getting notes and catching up. I was just in the middle of getting someone's notes, when our professor tells us to put notes away. He began passing out papers, which I soon realized was an exam. It turns out we had an exam that day and I had absolutely no idea. In all my years of going to school that has never happened to me. It's not like it was a pop quiz we didn't know about - we knew, and I completely forgot, being sick and missing the class before. Luckily he is a really nice professor so I explained the situation and he gave me the option of either taking the exam his next class period about 3 hours later, or we had had the option to write a 6 page research paper (again I guess I did not realize what day this was). I chose this as I was not prepared to take the exam in the slightest, and spent the afternoon writing a six page paper. Funny how your day changes just like that. That's about it for me, but...

Today is Founder's Day! On this day in 1963, "the first voyage, the University of Seven Seas, sailed out of New York City."If you go to: http://www.semesteratsea.org/alumni-and-friends/overview/founder-s-day.php - you can see a picture of the shipboard community. Kind of small so I doubt you will find me...I am on the level closest to the eye, third row, behind the Y and the F in Happy Founder's. If you look really close you will see I have a white headband on and a maroon sweatshirt. Ha good luck!

I am enjoying myself very much and can't believe the trip is more than half over. Malaysia here I come!

I will leave you with Semester at Sea's Alma Mater...
Composed in honor of Max Brandt. Words &music by John M. Rosenberg (Spring 2000)

As we sail from this harbor
Off to see the world
As we sail from port - to starboard
All our flags unfurled

We remember many new faces
And the friends we've come to know
And the memories of new places
Remind us of how we've grown

Raise our voices high
Open wide our eyes
Open up the world to me
On a voyage of discovery

Across the oceans wide
Where the waves uncurl
Life will never be the same -
Now that I have seen the world...