Baju's coming out my "Bum-Bum"
As my mentor Prem would say, "bum bum". I have accumulated a large amount of baju kurungs. And they are growing on me. At first I thought they were slightly hideous now I've grown to like them and have favorites among the small collection I have created in my closet. Three are borrowed from Amy's mother-in-law. She gave me one to wear at the wedding then gave me 3 more after the wedding. I've accumulated 4 bajus from my head of language and 3 bajus upon arrival to Malaysia. Making a grand total of 11 baju kurung. I can wear bajus for almost 2 weeks without re-wearing one!
This not only speaks to the hospitality I have experienced in Malaysia but the changes I have gone through as well. I find no point in shaving anymore, my legs and armpits are small forests of hair. I now take smaller steps in my bajus because they can't handle large leaps or steps. I have done EVERYTHING in a baju and yes, it's possible to cook, clean and eat in a baju. I have also sweated my bum bum off in a baju while teaching. I've learned about the different styles of baju kurung, noticing the difference in the more form fitting modern baju compared to the looser traditional baju. Lastly my malay teachers are very happy and excited to see me in my baju kurung. Personally I love throwing them on in the morning without asking myself "does this match?" And running out the door knowing that I am wearing the most fashionable clothes in Malaysia.
Baju kurungs are worn for any occasion, job interviews, weddings, hanging around the house, going out on the town, yet the style may reflect your age and where you are going. Wedding bajus are very delicate and beautiful where as the Sunday baju is usually a batik pattern. There's a baju for every occasion. More modest bajus are for older women. Their tudong or head scarf can also express age and wisdom. Longer tudongs mean the woman is older and demands more respect. There are tudongs that match bajus and all different tudong styles as well. However I am not required to wear a tudong so I don't know much more about them.
This past week was the opening ceremony of our Special Olympics and it was quite the event. I walked over when I heard bag pipes. I was thinking, bag pipes in Malaysia? And I fact there were men dressed up in cammo marching and playing the bag pipes. I believe they were deaf as well. The deaf students also preformed a dance which was choreographed amazingly to music. It was very impressive to see them to synchronize dance to music they cannot hear. There was also an ice cream machine for all the deaf students after they ran their Olympic events. I felt like an honorable guest attending the ceremony. As usual there were tons of pictures and a lot of sign language I tried to understand, but I'm slowly getting better...
As my mentor Prem would say, "bum bum". I have accumulated a large amount of baju kurungs. And they are growing on me. At first I thought they were slightly hideous now I've grown to like them and have favorites among the small collection I have created in my closet. Three are borrowed from Amy's mother-in-law. She gave me one to wear at the wedding then gave me 3 more after the wedding. I've accumulated 4 bajus from my head of language and 3 bajus upon arrival to Malaysia. Making a grand total of 11 baju kurung. I can wear bajus for almost 2 weeks without re-wearing one!
This not only speaks to the hospitality I have experienced in Malaysia but the changes I have gone through as well. I find no point in shaving anymore, my legs and armpits are small forests of hair. I now take smaller steps in my bajus because they can't handle large leaps or steps. I have done EVERYTHING in a baju and yes, it's possible to cook, clean and eat in a baju. I have also sweated my bum bum off in a baju while teaching. I've learned about the different styles of baju kurung, noticing the difference in the more form fitting modern baju compared to the looser traditional baju. Lastly my malay teachers are very happy and excited to see me in my baju kurung. Personally I love throwing them on in the morning without asking myself "does this match?" And running out the door knowing that I am wearing the most fashionable clothes in Malaysia.
Baju kurungs are worn for any occasion, job interviews, weddings, hanging around the house, going out on the town, yet the style may reflect your age and where you are going. Wedding bajus are very delicate and beautiful where as the Sunday baju is usually a batik pattern. There's a baju for every occasion. More modest bajus are for older women. Their tudong or head scarf can also express age and wisdom. Longer tudongs mean the woman is older and demands more respect. There are tudongs that match bajus and all different tudong styles as well. However I am not required to wear a tudong so I don't know much more about them.
This past week was the opening ceremony of our Special Olympics and it was quite the event. I walked over when I heard bag pipes. I was thinking, bag pipes in Malaysia? And I fact there were men dressed up in cammo marching and playing the bag pipes. I believe they were deaf as well. The deaf students also preformed a dance which was choreographed amazingly to music. It was very impressive to see them to synchronize dance to music they cannot hear. There was also an ice cream machine for all the deaf students after they ran their Olympic events. I felt like an honorable guest attending the ceremony. As usual there were tons of pictures and a lot of sign language I tried to understand, but I'm slowly getting better...
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