Monday, January 31, 2011

A Level of Superstition

In the States, usually I think superstition is a bit obsolete. Some people use it as an excuse not to make their own decisions. They feel that if they can live by it and therefore they don't have to be accountable for the consequences; because 'they didn't pick.' But here, the Chinese brand of superstition mixed with their Buddhist faith has an entirely different feel. It intrigues me. All of the Chinese men I usually eat lunch with (ranging from ages 30 to 62) are regular lottery players. Even deeming it "investing in the future." But it's nothing like America where ppl play their 'lucky numbers' or numbers that hold some certain significance to them. Here, their favorite numbers to play are those on a license plate of a car that's just been in an accident or broken down somehow. It's supposed to be the best luck. Riding with my boss two days ago we passed a Mercedes which had caught fire, luckily noone was hurt. His first words: "Did you see the license numbers?"
Furthermore, I always wondered when I was younger how seriously the Chinese took the "Year of the ..." zodiac-like symbols I always used to see on the paper place mats at the Chinese restaurants. But they take it quite seriously and some ppl will tell u directly that they think it's best u not spend time around them becuz their years clash too aggressively.
The construction project I'm working on now was delayed 2-3 weeks because they had to find a 'good day' to break ground. There's apparently an entire calendar of days which are good or bad for different kinds of events.
For Chinese New Years (which starts in 3 days officially), there is a dish is a tradition to have at or right around the event. As we had it today, it was explained to me that everyone was to take their chopsticks and mix the dish up in unison to ensure prosperity of the businesses. For calendar new year, there is a ceremonial drink which formally signifies you being one year older.
Also, at the construction site, there is a Buddhist prayer vessel called... well, I don't know how it's spelled, but it is pronounced "dato." It's a common belief that it is essential to satisfying the guardian that protects the site. It is filled with oils and incense, which must be kept burning to continue the good fortune of the site.
These are but a few examples of the heavy involvement of superstition (sometimes manifested through their Buddhist faith). It's an interesting part of the culture that adds to the experience on being truly immersed in another ethnicity's culture. Adds to the experience and it intrigues me.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

The Challenge

I knew the day was coming, but I didn't know exactly when. The day I'm speaking of is the day where one of the older gentlemen at one of the parties involved in my project publicly questions my abilities because I'm young and inexperienced. Well, at our site meeting yesterday, the head of our consultant engineering side did just that. Even went so far as to call me "incompetent." Now, I understand in spirit what he's saying. I'm young, I'm not Malaysian (as he point out a few times) and I'm not experienced. It's a big, expensive project and the man doesn't really know me or what I do. So to be real, I understand his concern although I still wish he would've taken it up with me personally first before trying to make things into a public issue. So I have to use it as motivation. The point of coming here is to build the resume getting REAL experience. It's already real and if I've truly caught his attention, it's probably about to get realer very soon. So that means I gotta get my game tight and become better at what I do. Adversity builds character. A man is not judged by how he acts in times of comfort, he is judged by how he responds in times of adversity. There's a lot to being 'great' at my job and it's not gonna happen overnight because you literally have to have seen and know how everything is built efficiently. But I'm committed to working t0 be better at it. So as of today, can't say whether I'll sink or swim, but I'm jumping in the water. Selamat malam...

Monday, January 10, 2011

Slightly Jealous

I constantly remind myself that I'm "living the dream" as most ppl see it. Everyone says "Man, it's gotta be magical spending time overseas fresh outta college at this age. It's the opportunity of a lifetime."And I don't doubt that at all, but I'm not afforded as much an opportunity to treat it like a vacation as others I know. When I was in Singapore staying in a hostel, I met ppl from all over; Vietnam, Russia, UK, Bangladesh, Canada, Norway, even other Americans. Many were just traveling to be traveling. Like they just decided to take some time and see Asia for a few months. In one case, a Canadian couple sold EVERYTHING they owned and just decided to "go with the flow" traveling the world. No set plans, no set limits, just go until the money runs out and figure it out after that. They have such elaborate stories about going off the beaten path, doing things that truly open their eyes culturally and spiritually. Furthermore, I have several peers who are in Asia or abroad also, most of them are teaching English. And the programs they have come over using have a focus more tailored to making sure they have a great global experience. Most have favorable schedules and their job encourage such traveling. And they aren't limited to 12 annual leave days a year like me. I visited a friend of mine yesterday who is in Malaysia teaching English. His company has put him in a plush hotel in downtown KL for a couple weeks of orientation. When he gets where he will be staying, he will be living and working right along the beach. He will only be working 3-4 days a week and about 4 hours a day. As compared to my 10 hour workweeks. They got him a temporary driving permit and he will have a car; be reminded, since I've been here I've been continually been hearing about all these road blocks to why it's so hard for Americans to transfer their licenses over since we drive on the other side of the street. I've heard that I would have to pay crazy amounts of money, I've heard that I would have to take a driving test, I've heard I will have to take a written test in Malay. But somehow my homeboy's company worked it out so he has a temporary driving permit before he even stepped foot off the plane. I'm starting to get the feeling that I'm the only one who's getting a true worker experience rather than being a hydrid worker-tourist. But in the end, I think the experience will be invaluable. I can say that my Malaysian tenure builds my resume more than my companions. Not to mention, once I've stepped so far out of my comfort zone for such a long period of time, what else is there to be scared of if u get a job in a different region of the country or something? I gotta focus on all the positives and benefits and stop thinkin about those things that make me feel differently (although working six days a week is still absolutely terrible).