Excursion: JS Academy for the Deaf
Yesterday we visited the JS Academy for the Deaf, of course supported by the JS Group. First stop was the inauguration ceremony of the school's cricket pitch. The schools cricket team welcomed us with a mini cricket practice. You should have seen the out-of-practice, middle-aged Directors gamely bowling and batting in the practice pitch!
We were introduced to the founder of the school, a fighter-trailblazer of a woman, Ms. Laila Dossa who's been working with the hearing-impaired and the under-priviledged for over 20 years. She brought us to the school, gave a tour of the building and explained the work that the academy is doing. And it is very significant work as students from these institutions emerge as top students in the local board examinations.
Some of these developments by the educators from the JS Academy are: developing an Urdu-based sign language books which has never existed before in Pakistan. They're also the only institution for the deaf that offer vocational trainings to the students. The academy has an open door policy, accepting anyone who wishes to learn. From the child aged 3 enrolling in kindergarten, to the 25 year old who's never had a chance at education. The academy started 3 years ago with 5 students and today have 150 students in total, from kindergarten to secondary school level I believe.
The Academy is run on charity, and they charge students minimally 25 Pak rupees school fees. (i.e. SGD 0.50) and even at that amount, it is difficult for families of these children to pay that amount. What with the rising costs of food and fuel.
Near the end of an era
So yesterday I booked my tickets to go back to Singapore. 22,700 PKRs for a one way ticket, non-return flight. And then island hopping to Jakarta on Java for Fida's wedding on 1st August. Yay!
It certainly feels.... what's the word... wierd, nostalgic, sad, at the same time looking forward to going to a place where cars drive within the white lines, in their respective lanes!
Now for all potential trainees to Pakistan who may be reading this, please note that I have been here for 9 months and truth be told the city's getting to me. Maybe it's just the hot weather that's making my blood boil in frustration. Maybe it's just me being sad to leave.
For what will I leave behind that would cause such a feeling of loss? Of course, the families here.
Went to a cousin's wedding recently and there were about 1000 guest to whom I am related. Yes, ALL of them were relatives! The feeling was something akin to being at an AIESEC conference. e.g. at IC where hundreds of people setting a common vision, wow! = these hundreds of people all came from a common man/woman at some point. wow!
And I would also sorely miss the adopted family of brothers and sisters and self-proclaimed-ex-husbands all living and partying on the same roof. [Pause, as Zaf reminisces the good times there]
Images race in my mind: The birth of the "family" post-Jennifer debacle, Crabbing at sea, French beach, Thatta cum near-death experience with the car crash, shopping for kurtis at the old man's shop in Gulf, birthday bash, meet-the-parents in Faisalabad, economy class train journey (ugh, to that I say never again!) going out to eat at Karachi Broast, Baloch, Agha juice, good ole' MacDonalds...... *Sigh*
And alas! last but not the least. Baba, did u think I would forget? ... in fact this one's so annoying he won't get out of my head. *Sigh*
Right, so it's not quite the country that's getting to me. I guess it's the thought of leaving all this. Ah well, I'd say look on the brighter side of life. Home, Singapore, back to an orderly civilisation. Back to Thai Express on the weekends, satay on the beach, back to the blue, near-olympic-sized pool at home.... oooo!! I wanna dive into some blue chlorinated water... Somebody take me home!!! Better yet, somebody clone me so I can be in 2 places at once....
Learning Brit slang in Pakistan
Well, living with a British guy at home and in the office, you can't not be bombarded by some slang.
For those in a similar situation, here are some that I've learnt:
Snoop Doggie Doo Da = aka Snoop Dog
THE shit = THE thing, THE cool stuff, basically it's a good thing.
__ IS shit = it's bad. Like the Spice Girls IS SHIT.
As a comparison, in Andrew's very words: Tom Yum Noodle Soup is THE SHIT, while Boyzone is SHIT.
I'm glad my cooking's more enjoyable than boy band singing.
Shizzle = an evolution of THE SHIT
Slash = Piss.
e.g.
to go for a slash = to take a piss
and my favourite....
the BIRDS! = the GIRLS!
always gets my roommates excited, seeing they've been in a depraved situation for MONTHS.
I guess the best thing is that I can now watch British movies and comedies and not be clueless about the slang they use. One bad thing I foresee is that is friends back home in Singapore will be looking up at the sky whenever I say,"Check out those colourful BIRDS..."
