Who Am I?

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
When I started this blog, I was living in Houston. Now my family and I live in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. My blog is to serve many purposes. One to tell everyone what is going on with us in the way only I can tell. Another is for me to vent out my feelings. In other words, this is just my humble view of my world.

October 05, 2010

House Hunting...the Finale!

As stated in the first episode of our house hunting experience, we had looked at 3 different places and narrowed it down to two, Serene Kiara and Duta Tropika. We decided on the place at Serene Kiara and put in the offer letter. After two weeks of back and forth negotiations, we finally had to start looking again since it seemed we were at an impasse with the owners. David and I are very hard-headed people, which is both a blessing and a curse. We really wanted to stick with Serene since it had the biggest space and the new homes with a view. We told our agent to find us a new place out there and went that day to look again. Thankfully we found another place there that did not have the view we wanted but the layout seem to fit us equally as well, so again, another offer letter. We were told this owner was much more accommodating and would have no problems with the requests. The only thing we really had issues with was the timing. This place would not be ready until November 8th. After checking to see that our temporary housing could be continued through that date, we proceeded with the process. After two days of no word, we called our agent again to find out the status. This is when things really began to fall apart. The owner had left the country and would not sign the offer or begin construction until she returned at the end of October (further pushing back the move in date). Up to this point, we had been told it was just a matter of formality and the owner had already agreed to everything. Apparently, this was not true and our second attempt to rent a place to live here in KL fell through. This all happened at the end of our 4th week, meaning I am stir crazy and itching for a fight. They don’t call me a crazy American woman for nothing! We called our agent back again and told her to find something for us to look at back in Duta Tropika again. There had been a unit available when we first began our searches, #77, and we asked if that one was still available. She took us to see them right away and we found that it was still available. Now when I say she took us to see them, I mean this…she took us to see #77 which we asked about and then another unit we had seen in the beginning that we said absolutely no! too. By this point, I am so frustrated with our agent and sick of feeling like we are being jerked around by this woman who seems to be lazy and also seems to lie if it makes her look good. We decided since there was nothing else in Tropika that was available at our price (so said our agent), we would put in our 3rd offer letter. Third time’s a charm, right?? WRONG! I had a bad feeling about this and finally decided to do something. I went back to the website they had given us to look at before we came over and I look at Tropika specifically. I found at least half dozen listings for places that were within our price range. After sorting through the ones I knew we had looked at from the pictures, I found a listing that looked promising and the agent had a website. I checked out her website and sent her a message via email to inquire about the unit. She promptly responded within 15 minutes saying she had a few units there that might work with our budget. She asked some questions about what things I was looking for and asked when I wanted to view them. I had a playdate the next day in Tropika, so I asked if that would work…it did and we met. I got to see three different units than I had seen previously and one that really caught my eye. It was right across from the pool and playground, very convenient for my kids. The space inside was the biggest we had seen in this area within our price range and it had all the things we had been asking for in our offer letters. The down side?? It has no yard, meaning no place for us to put our outdoor table (the new one) to use for dinner outside and it is a link style which means they are bigger but they have even less yard than the other units. Personally, I can live with all of these issues. But David was apprehensive and this has to be a family decision. So this new agent took me to another neighborhood to look at it. I think it would have been nice if we didn’t have kids, but it was just far too sterile for me. The whole time this new agent took me around, I had already told her we had this other agent we had to use through my husband’s company and she said we didn’t have to but she understood. Later that afternoon, I emailed our agent and told her about #72 and asked if she could arrange a viewing so David could see it too…this was a Friday afternoon. She responded with one sentence…”did you see this place with another agent?” I responded honestly and said yes, told her how I found this other agent and gave her the details. I never heard back from her about the place, she did, however, text David later that evening. She told him #72 had an offer on it for an amount above our price and then told us the owners from the other place had accepted our offer and asked what we wanted to do. I decided I would contact the new agent and ask her about this offer, she double checked and said no offer was on it and told us we could see it the next morning if we wanted. David asked our agent again if she was sure this other place was taken and then asked to see a copy of our offer letter. She told him yes on both accounts and said she would email him the letter…we still have never seen that letter. After seeing it on Saturday, he decided that we could go with it and the new agent went about contacting the owner for us to see if we could have the place at our price. She was great! She called or text me every couple hours to let me know what was happening…the owner was not answering the phone due to being on an airplane. At 8pm, she called me to tell me it was a deal! Since our other agent had completely flaked on us, we decided to see if the company would let us just use this new agent alone and not go through the other one. David sent an email to those in charge, meanwhile, the new agent sent us a copy of the offer letter for us to review before having the owner sign it. By Monday morning, the owner had signed it and the new agent (Lisee) was working with David’s company to finalize all the paperwork.  It took 4 offer letters and nearly 5 weeks, but we have a place to live!We get to take possession October 15th and our container is being delivered October 16th. This place is one of the best places we looked at and has the neighborhood we had wanted in the very beginning. God has blessed us yet again with a place we didn’t even know we could have or would want. Many prayers went into finding this place. I am not a patient person (shocker!) and God really taught me a lesson with this hunting experience. But He also helped me to understand that not having everything exactly the way I want it or envision it is ok. He allowed me to take some control of the situation but taught me to do so in a more tactful way than I would have in the past. I did it honestly and upfront. We told our original agent all about the place we liked, that we viewed it with another agent and told her how to contact that agent to help us make the deal. I could have been vindictive, which if I am honest, I really wanted to and would have in the past. But God helped me change, even if it is just a little and even though I have to ask His help every step of the way. Hey, I am by no means perfect but I have a God who is! He continues to bless this family of mine everyday!

September 27, 2010

A New Perspective

After 3 weeks with us, Tony went back home.  We have missed him but are so grateful that he came to help.  While he was here, he gave daily updates to the fam back in Australia.  I always like hearing his point of view on things, so here is some of those views.  With his permission, I am publishing emails to the family.  Remember, he is an Aussie and they spell things differently as well as talk weird! LOL Love you Tony!

Hello all


Still busy here in KL. The kids are getting a bit apartment crazy now; we try to get out at least twice a day. In the morning after breakfast, Vikki, kids and I usually head for the big children’s park below us right in the city centre (KLCC). It is usually very hot and humid and so an hour in the park has us feeling like getting inside and we head for the Petronus Towers shopping area. We have visited the wonderful aquarium under the shopping area and know most of the place inside out now.


Tuesday was my big test with Zoe and Nic all day. Davo and Vikki left at 0630, but the kids didn’t wake till about 0800 – great start. We had breakfast in our room (we have a small kitchen and had cereals and toast). Then we headed for the park and played on the great array of equipment for an hour or so. After that we headed into the Petronus mall and found some chicken nuggets and fries for lunch. We ate out in the park under a shelter which was quite pleasant. It is always warm here and of course humid but it is pleasant if one is not under strong exertion; I would not like to be building Bob & Gail’s house in these conditions – Kiwi would melt away to nothing!! After we returned to the apartment, the kids slept for about 1.5 hours – this is always a good time of the day when one can read the newspaper and a book. Some TV children’s movie time was followed by our almost daily visit to the swimming pool (provided there is not rain and lightning). We spent an hour or so there and returned for bath and shower. We watched the rest of a movie and spent time until it was tea time for the kids. Davo & Vikki arrived home about 1830; both passed all the training and will get Malaysian licences, and David will get his company car in the next couple of weeks.


After breakfast on Wednesday morning Vikki had to go to Halliburton for a security briefing; about 2 hours. After lunch and kids sleep we spent a little time in the giant book show in the exhibition centre (alongside the park and connected to the Petronus centre). I bought a copy of Anna Karenina ($12)and a book light ($4) and we bought some children’s books; prices quite low. Then David joined us and we had dinner in a Vietnamese restaurant in the Petronus centre; excellent food and we will go there again.


On every other day or so we seem to get great lightening, thunder and rain storms, usually in the afternoon. It is near end of dry season and so kids have some wetter times still to look forward to. Being on the 29th floor it is quite spectacular when the clouds come right alongside and the thunder and lightning are simultaneous.


Today, Thursday, the real estate agent retained by Halliburton to help find accommodation called to get near finalising the contract for the rental house. David and Vikki have requested a few more things be installed like more curtains, and they have offered to share the cost of a dishwasher with the carrot that it will be left at the end of the rental period. The owner had agreed to put in a water filter (whole house job which seems needed for westerners at least) in exchange for not putting in a dishwasher, hence the try for a bit more bargaining. They should have it all tied up early next week; a Muslim lady owns the place and so nothing will be done over the Raya weekend.


The air freight arrived this afternoon; three boxes; and so now the kids have plenty of their favourite toys and much more to occupy them in the confines of the apartment. We retained one of the big boxes as a cubby house that is getting plenty of use already. This evening we walked back yet again to the Petronus Galeri and went to a Thai restaurant for a very nice dinner. Now we are back and the children are getting ready for bed. Tomorrow, also a holiday, we may go to visit friends and see the proposed house from the outside, and Davo and I may get a game of golf in over the next three days with colleagues.


The end of Ramadan approaches and Malaysia has 3-4 days holiday. Many people go home for ‘Raya’ and the roads have been chaos. The front page of the newspaper today showed motorcycle gridlock where a whole section of highway looked like an MCG crowd had all got on motorbikes and just ground to a stop- you could only see people shoulder to shoulder with the motorbikes submerged beneath; another photo showed a train filled to bursting, but then you could not see the roof as that too was covered with people. It is quite nice in KL as so many have left for the country.


Yesterday morning (Saturday) we all rose in good time, had breakfast and walked down the street and boarded the hop-on-hop-off bus for a round tour of the city. It was interesting and we saw a number of the main attractions that we had thought of visiting later. It is hard to fit things in between when Nic needs a sleep and kids eating (Nic can go ballistic when he is hungry and tired). Zoe has been having a mid-day sleep too but then stays up late, or at least stays awake in bed till late and so Vikki decided to dispense with Zoe’s day sleep, starting yesterday. It worked well and she went to bed earlier, slept straight away and didn’t wake till after 0800. So with a new routine we only have to fit Nic’s sleep time and Zoe’s quiet time. If we tire Nic early he will sleep early and give us a longer afternoon to do outside visits. We will go swimming earlier in the morning and then get Nic to bed, have lunch and go out. We want to visit a couple of shopping malls we haven’t been to yet, and also a wonderful Bird Park.






Yesterday, after the first round on the Hop on & off bus (stayed on for one loop, about 2 hours), David and I went back to the Chinese District to see whether other visits might be appropriate. It is busy, smelly, and dirty. Masses of small retailers along the roads trying to sell stuff; lots of dodgy watches, t-shirts and other clothing, food, eye wear, etc. Not a place I want to visit again or buy anything – too risky although can be cheap with bargaining. However, there did seem to be some opportunities for copy label children’s clothes and Vikki might take a look without the kids in tow. We also visited the Central railway station where I might depart from as it is fairly easy to get to, there is Malaysia Airlines luggage check in, and a fast train to the airport (28 mins vs 1 hour by cab). We took a train from there back to our station which was fast, cheap and good and so I can get there in reverse on leaving. However, taxis are cheap and that is also a possibility straight from the apartment on Saturday evening.


MONDAY 13 SEP 2010


Sunday was quite busy again. After breakfast and a swim we got Nic to have an early sleep and by 1200 we had caught a Taxi (Tekse) to Plaza Damas to meet James and two children for lunch. Rachel was at home with Archie who she had had to the doctor with a fever. After lunch we went back to James & Rachel’s house, nearby, and by now Archie was feeling better. We had a pleasant afternoon including swimming, kids playing and adults socialising. Rachel had had a hectic week with all three children to the doctor at various times. (flash forward to Monday morning and when we meet Rachel we find that she had again been to the doctor to find that two children have ear infections and so more antibiotics). On Sunday evening after returning to the apartment we had a light dinner downstairs in the restaurant where we have breakfast every day – there is an up market restaurant on the top (39th) floor that we haven’t visited for dinner yet as it had all sorts of special arrangements for Ramadan.


It has rained probably all night, but is fining up first thing. David has gone to work early (still only a 4 day week as 16th is yet another holiday (17 public holidays a year and they call Australia the land of the long weekend???) – David won’t work a full 5 day week until after I leave. Vikki, kids and I had breakfast and then caught a Tekse to Plaza Damas where MANZA (Malaysia, Australia, NZ Association) was having a Mums (and puppas) and kids play group at a Toys-R-Us playground. They do this each Monday at various places, on about a six week rotation, so it is good for Vikki to make contacts and for the kids to mix. It was enjoyed by all; Vikki and I took turns on duty and I had a walk around the plaza and then Vikki had coffee with Rachel who had come over without her sick kids (maid looking after) to introduce Vikki around.


Following the play group we did some shopping when Vikki was able to find a cooling pad/dock for her computer which tends to overheat, and also a wireless router which David will be able to set up here this evening and later use in their home. I also bought a small car garage for Nic from Toys-R-Us as he had so enjoyed the one at home (Goolwa) and one at Rachel’s place; I also bought a Buzz Lightyear for Zoe and so was able to redress a little of the toy giving for birthdays that has been much more difficult for our remote grandchildren. After lunch we caught another Tekis home and Nic went down for a well earned sleep.


The Tekse taking this morning proved to be a cost effectiveness test run. We know that Blue tekses are better but considerably more expensive than the red tekses. We got a blue from the hotel and it cost us RM35 to the plaza and a red one back cost us RM13. There is another hazard that many red tekses in particular try to ask for a fixed price and not switch on their meters; many say their meters are not working. We had been alerted to this and insist on the meter being used and if they refuse, or are particularly reticent or grumpy we just tell them we will get another tekse; this happened at the plaza and we despatched one red and got the next one who had no hesitation to use his meter and help us with the pusher – hence he got a tip of RM2 for being honest and helpful. The expats already here had told us to insist on meters, that reds are OK if they comply and of course about half the price of the up market blues. However, even the blues are much cheaper than in OZ or the US, or indeed most of the rest of the world. Most Tekses have a sign on the side saying that haggling is prohibited, but some still try anyway. For those in OZ who said we should haggle and think they get the price down are wanking and it is always best to get the meter used. There is our lesson for today and at least we know the deal next time we visit.


TUESDAY 14


After breakfast Vikki, kids and I were picked up by Manjeet, the real estate agent retained by Halliburton, and driven out to where the house is that D & V have been negotiating over. At the moment they are in a stalemate with the owners who want them to pay RM500 per month over their allowance and will not pay even half of a dishwasher. We had a look at that place again this morning as there were workers there installing lights and air conditioning. It is certainly a big place on three levels. However, while we were there we came across a colleague of Manjeets who showed us another option (only from the outside as the estate office is still on holidays). This house looks like almost the same design as the other, but not quite the views, however the owners sound much more agreeable and will install water filters and dishwasher and other good internal furnishings like curtains all within David’s allowance. They will look at this place tomorrow morning and if OK will sign up for it.


In the meantime, Vikki has found that Zoe may be able to get straight into Kindergarten at the British International School nearby and so she is proceeding with that. The application is made and interviews will follow. This is a good option as Halliburton will pay the fees for this whereas they have to pay themselves for pre-school or day-care outside the formal school environment covering kindy to year 12.

Hope you all enjoy his view as much as I do!

September 18, 2010

Red Cab or Blue Cab?

At first glance, this is a very simple choice. I picked blue! What’s the difference you ask? Blue cabs are newer and cleaner. They always use the meter and they are readily available at most of the hotels nearby. So what is the problem if the answer is so incredibly clear? They charge double the normal rate. You are paying for the cleanliness. Not a huge deal if you don’t use them often, but without a vehicle, we have used a cab a couple times a day. Thankfully we have friends here to help us understand the customs and when we are getting ripped off. So the red cabs became far more appealing. The problem is they are shady! Half the time they tell you the meter isn’t working and give you a price instead. You try to tell them no you want the meter, but they just argue with you. It is usually an inflated rate and they are pocketing it since it is not an official cab ride. Oh yeah, and they STINK! When your 4 year old is asking you what stinks as you are trying to get this cab driver to be honest and put the meter on…well it is a fun time for sure! The other day, Tony and I went out to a shopping center via cab. We took a blue cab from the hotel and it cost us $30RM. To get back, we waited in line at the taxi stand and the guard for the shopping center hailed a cab for us. The first cab was a red one and told us the meter was broke. He said he would get us back for $30RM because the traffic was backed up. I said no and he told me ok, he would use the meter plus $5RM. I said no again and the guard shut the door for me and hailed the next cab. He was a red cab too and was honest. Put the meter on and helped Tony get the stroller in the back. I tried to tip the guard since he was so helpful and nice, but he refused to take it. Our cab ride back cost us $10.50RM and the cab didn’t smell bad!
Moral of this story, pick the red cabs, but be prepared to check a couple cabs before you find one that you will actually get into for a ride.

September 17, 2010

Me v. iPhone

Wow! Can you say difficult? AT&T has a monopoly locked down on those things! I was warned about jail breaking my phone. If you do that you void your warranty, so can’t do that. Oh, but wait, your warranty is void if you leave the country so who cares! Now if you don’t know what I am talking about here it is. To use your iphone on a new cell network, outside the US, you have to both jailbreak it and then unlock the SIM card. Sounds very complicated, but after a little time surfing hacking sites on the net, I found it to be a simple process. Another expat here gave me the name of a guy who could do it all for me for $150RM. Not too expensive, but those who know who I married understand any money is a lot. Which is why I chose to try to figure it out myself. I am not terribly technologically advanced, but I can figure out the simple stuff. My biggest problem was finding a wifi spot that I could hook into to get the downloads complete. Tony and I spent some time over in the coffee shops doing that. Again not hard, unless you have two children who love to climb and jump on you when you are doing important hacking! It took me two weeks to get enough time online to get the phone ready for a SIM card over here. Another week after that to figure out what carrier to use and how to get a number. I had to decide whether I wanted pre-paid or post-paid and then what plan I needed. Unfortunately, the plan I want requires you to already have a number. So I have a number and in a month I will change my plan to include data as well as a telephone. I am back in this century, a little! I have a phone and I can text people, but I still can’t use my iphone completely until I have a data plan too. Can you see how complicated this has become? Moving internationally has so many different dynamics to think of and deal with. Dang I just wanted a freaking phone people!
Oh and just for the record, they don’t have the iphone 4 here yet. Should be later this month, but it will cost over $1000US. Again, you know who I married! I will be selling my services on jail breaking and unlocking for any expats in the future. My new business venture to help pay for my shopping trips.

September 16, 2010

A little kindness goes a long way...

We arrived on Saturday, David started work on Monday and there was a public holiday on Tuesday. September has many holidays we have now been told, as well as January and February. This country is looking better every day in my book!
A coworker of David’s was kind enough to ask us over for lunch. They live in the neighborhood we had heard so much about and were wanting to live in. Their names are James and Rachel and they have 3 sons…JimJo(7), Archie(4), and Francis(3). I was a little apprehensive about it, but I was also looking forward to knowing someone here and having some kids that Zoe and AJ could play with.
They are both from New Zealand and they have lived in Norway for the past few years. They just relocated here 6 months ago. Rachel and I hit it off right away and she was able to give me some invaluable advice. The kids ate lunch first and then we had ours…which made it nearly dinner time before the adults ate. That was a bit strange for me. If you know me very well at all, you know I was starving to death by that point and ready to chew on my own arm! Fat people don’t like to wait more than a couple hours between food. Alas, I did survive and the kids had a great time. Zoe was exactly like she always is around new people. They asked her if she wanted to go upstairs to play and we didn’t see her again until it was time to eat. Rachel was worried about her at first, I guess her boys are normal boys. Of course I was more worried Zoe would try to bully her boys. Needless to say, we both had nothing to fear. Zoe held her own with those boys and those boys learned they couldn’t push her around. Zoe has developed a bit of a crush on the oldest, JimJo…I believe the feeling may be mutual. AJ loves visiting them because he gets a break from his sister and they have cars for him to play with all by himself. That poor kid has to deal with his sister on top of him all day everyday! He just wants a little peace. So lunch was good and we have made new friends. I can’t express how much it helped me feel more comfortable about being here. Remember that when you have the opportunity to do the same for someone else. A little kindness and hospitality goes a long way!

September 12, 2010

Sick Day For Mommy

Got sick?  I did!  All those mommies out there, you know we don't get sick days when you stay home.  If you work outside the home you are blessed enough to at least get 8 hours of peace which counts as your "break" to rest and recover.  That is one of the few things I actually miss about working, maybe the only thing other than the extra money. 

So, let's recap...relocated to a new country, living in a serviced apartment with very little personal items, have two children under the age of 4 and now I am sick!  This is why there have been very few posts this week.  I have a word document with about 4 or 5 partial blog postings but have not had the opportunity to finish them.  Because, as you all know, even when we are sick, life still goes on...like it or not!  I was getting sick the day we arrived, but I was able to deal with it for a few days.  I finally got so bad I went to the doctor.  Not sleeping and coughing so much I wake the other people in the room is not good when your toddler is sleeping in the same room. 

Turns out I had an upper respiratory infection which is fairly easy to cure.  Just a few antibiotics and in two days I was back.  Luckily, at my absolute worst, David was home(Sunday), so I was able to sleep a lot.  I went to the doctor on Monday and had defensive driving on Tuesday.  It was not the best day of my life, as I was not feeling my best and trying to drive on the other side of the road.  But I did pass, which is great!  And I am now getting my feet on the ground here. 

Off to other things before bed now.  More posts to come this week as I finish off some of the more interesting experiences of late.  Just a teaser for you to look forward to...Zoe met her first hooker(yes you read correctly), I ran a stop sign during my driving course, and I spent 30 minutes in the shower crying a couple days ago.  It has been a roller coaster time here!  Stay tuned!!!

September 02, 2010

Finding a Place to Live

Every time we have moved I have been super stressed and extremely anal about finding a place to live.  There is always the new and usually much higher prices to deal with and of course figuring out which area doesn't just look nice but actually is nice to live.  In Denver, without having kids, the area was not as important as just locating ourselves between where we both worked and easy access to the mountains.  Pricing up there nearly made me stroke out, but I learned to calm down and we found a suitable place to live in a nice enough neighborhood.  Houston was a little different since we just had Zoe and were beginning to think about the schools and areas with playgrounds.  The actual house prices were the same but you got more house for the money.  However, we now had to think about the taxes and HOA dues and traffic into the office.  Ugh!  It just was one stress on top of another.

When we found out we were moving to KL, I began to start looking for places online (this is the OCD coming out) and figuring out how much it would cost us here.  Of course, another stroke was looming in my future before I realized I was looking at Ringgits instead of Dollars.  I found some places online that were nice and in our budget and then we spoke to David's boss who told us to check out their neighborhood.  Luckily, it happened to be in the same suburb I had looked at so that was a plus.  But if I have learned anything from our previous moves it is this, the pictures online are LIES!  They never look the same and you truly cannot find a home from those listings. 

With all that said, we gave the agent an idea of what size and type of community we were looking for and let them do the rest (that is what they get paid for anyway).  The past two days, David and I went out house hunting with our agent Manjit (woman).  Tony (my manny) and the kids just hung out here at the apartment so that we could concentrate and get through this quickly.  Side note: it was a good thing they did not go with us, it is freaking hot!  They don't typically have the a/c on in these places since they are empty so the sweat just rolls...and they were all 3-story places!  Not posting the attractive pictures of the sweaty mess I was, just use your imagination.

We looked at 3 different communities all in the same suburb called Mont Kiara. All these places would cost us the same amount so we basically just pick what suits us as a family and what will fit our furniture. 
  •  Duta Tropika is a gated community that is a little older, but has a lot of advantages.  David's boss as well as another co-worker lives there and we all get along wonderfully.  The place is just a very friendly community of expats and has a great safe feel. 
  • Serene Kiara is also a gated community that is very new and only about 50% full at the moment.  It does not have as much community green space and the pool and playground are a bit smaller, but the houses are all separate and you have an amazing view of the city from the hill it sits on.  You also have  a small yard for the kids to play and a gate to keep them in the yard (knowing my kids, this is a plus!)
  • MK10 is a condominium tower that is brand new and absolutely stunning.  We would have an entire floor with a private lobby.  They have two huge pools, a large playground, indoor driving range and a putting green.  If you know my husband, then you know those last two items completely got his attention.  We can only afford the 8th floor, but the view is still breathtaking.  
Yes, I am so incredibly blessed.  I don't know how or why God chose me to pour out these blessing to but I will take them and praise Him for them all.  And yet, even with these blessings, we still do not have a place to live.  We finally decided today to go with Serene Kiara since the layouts fit our furniture and our lifestyle the best.  There is another coworker of David's who lives there and they can carpool.  It is closer to the school that the kids will hopefully get into and only about a 10 minute drive over to our friends at Duta.  An offer was made for the place we liked the most today, but there was also another offer made for that same one.  After the owners countered, we chose to not go with it just because we wanted it so much.  In the end, we still want a good deal and we need to be able to be comfortable with what we are paying and getting.  So we turned that one down and have inquired about another place in that same community with the same floor plan just a little further up the road. 

My prayer is that we have something finalized by the end of the day tomorrow.  It will take about 3 weeks for the place to be ready to move in and then we still have to wait for our stuff to arrive from America.  I am ready to be settled in a house instead of this apartment.  As nice as it is to have everything done for you, I still like getting into a normal routine with the kids.  This seems too much like being on vacation.  I am ready for play dates and friends coming over for dinner! 

August 31, 2010

Read the Signs

Just call me a troublemaker with a capital T! Anyone who is or will be travelling in the near future, my best advice is simply this…”Read the signs!” That’s right, I have done it again. Somehow I don’t think this will be my last run-in with the whistle. First, let’s talk about this whistle thing. A whistle, really??? What exactly are you going to do to me with a whistle? I thought I was good getting my bluff in with the counting, but these people are serious. And to top it off most of the security in the park were women. Which in hindsight I can see how that would be better in making moms more at ease, and I digress.


So after the park swing issue, we try to be more aware of what is happening around us so I don’t get into trouble. Clearly that is not working. Our outing Monday began early with daddy heading off to work right after breakfast. Puppa and I headed down to the playground first and then went on to try to see the towers. We thought we should take a short cut through one of the big department stores in the mall. I went for the door, but it was stuck. So of course, I do what any rational minded person would do, I start shaking it. About that time I notice three men sitting off the side of the door, who are now running toward the door shaking their hands at me saying, “no, no ,no!” What I had failed to realize, the places don’t open around here until at least 10am. Guess we better start reading those signs!

After lunch and naptime we went swimming. It was sprinkling a little, but nothing major and with the temperature outside we figured no problem! We got the kids ready and went down to the pool. No one else was in the pool...DUH! Yep, we got in anyway, I mean it was just sprinkles. We were having a great time playing in the wading pool with Zoe and AJ loving it. I took some time to take my own advice and read the signs while I was in the pool. Clearly, I am a brilliant person for reading the rules after you start swimming. I notice at the bottom is a rule that sticks out at me..."No swimming in the rain." Oops! I figured that was only if it is raining hard or lightning. About this time I notice a worker standing out by the pool watching us. I looked to see if she said something, but when she didn't I just went back to playing with the kids. Shortly after that, a manager looking person came over and asked us to get out because they had seen some "flashes."

Thank goodness for that man. We no sooner got back to our room than the rain began falling harder and the thunder and lightening came. It was definitely my first experience with a true monsoon downpour. And as my FIL says, another black mark on my record. He is convinced they have a file on me with photos and notes with all my indiscretions.

Best Laundry Day EVER!!

I did laundry on Monday. It was such a hard job. For 20 minutes, I sat on the floor and sorted our clothes. I made three piles…one for David, me and the kids. Then I took out the paper and a bag for each pile and I listed out each article. Finally I called housekeeping and asked them to pick up the bags. Later that night there was a knock on my door and my laundry magically appeared clean, folded/hung and sorted into each person’s piles. This may be my biggest fantasy come true! I should not be getting used to this, but man this is awesome! This probably saved me three to four hours of time. My next wish is to have this type service readily available in my everyday life. Can you imagine the time you would have to play with the kids or actually have time for your own hobbies?

August 30, 2010

Our First Day in Malaysia

We have made it! Got in late Saturday night and everything went very smoothly. It was about an hour drive from the airport. The place we are staying right now very nice. It is called a corporate suite, which means it is basically a really nice hotel that has two and three bedroom suites. We only got a two bedroom, but I think it will be just fine for a month or so. There is a little kitchen with a stove and fridge for fixing some meals. Both rooms have there own bathroom, which is very helpful with the kids and with Tony being here. Also there is maid service every day! And they will do our laundry! I love that part!

We spent Sunday morning having breakfast downstairs in the cafe for the buffet they provide with our room...it was weird but we found things we like to eat. I noticed the food is not HOT here it is more like room temperature. Strange, but I think I can get used to that as long as I eat before the kids show up and my food becomes cold faster. After breakfast we took a walk around. You can see the Petronas Towers from the windows of each room in our apartment (very cool). There is also a HUGE park and water splash pad just across the street so that is where we headed this morning. I will have to take some pictures of the park, because when I say HUGE...well that doesn't come close to describing it. It looks like it belongs somewhere in Texas and inside an amusement park that you have to pay $40 to get to. It is like one of our parks in the neighborhood back in Katy Texas, only there are ten more connected to it with the rubber floors and ramps and swings. The kids were loving it and we only got to explore about a quarter of it.

I did get in trouble already. I was pushing Zoe on the swing and of course I went to swing with her. I heard this whistling coming from the security close by and I looked over and she was whistling at me. Apparently you cannot swing as an adult. Wow! Embarrassing!! But I am not in jail. Tony has not stopped messing with me about it since.

Next we hit the biggest shopping mall! It has about 6 stories...will have to go back and get more accurate count. They had everything from Cartier and Chanel to Gap and Banana Republic. A Burberry store caught my eye and had a better selection than I have ever seen. I found my future Christmas present, although David came in and told me to come on. He is not as much fun to shop with. We ate lunch at KFC...we figured it had stuff that we knew the kids would eat. We will try something new for dinner.

Back in the room for kids naps after lunch. I am certain I could hang out in the hotel all day and not get bored. There is an amazing pool, playground, gym and a putting green (not that I care about that thing). This place really is amazing. I have had some moments of realization that this is now my home for the next few years and it scares me a bit. But I think we may have gotten one of the best places to stay and live. I have a lot to get used to with the Ramadan and all the Muslim traditions. We hear the chanting a few times a day starting at 5am from the mosque across the street. It is weird and yet I am so curious about how incredibly devout a person can be to a religion. You have to applaud their devotion.

After nap time, we went back out to look around the market shops. Wow, very interesting. I have decided that the cool air is great and smells normal...but when you get hit with some warm air you better hold your breath. It stinks for some reason. The markets were narrow and crowded and not the best place for the kids so David went back to the hotel to take them swimming while Puppa and I went to the grocery store. That was a new experience too. Could not find lunchmeat anywhere so the kids have either cheese or peanut butter sandwiches to choose from. We did find some stuff I know they will eat and like though and milk which is needed in our household. We used to go through 2 gallons a week...they don't sell by the gallon. It looks to be the size of a quart. I will be finding different grocery stores when we figure out where we will live permanently. For now we will just make do with what we have.

We all had a nice swim before dinner and then just ordered room service for dinner. It was really nice. Everyone got to choose something and we were able to eat in our PJ's. Nic went off to bed around eight and Zoe stayed up to watch Avatar with Daddy and Puppa. She only made it to nine though. She was very tired. Puppa is sleeping in Zoe's room (they have two twin beds) and Nic is sleeping in a crib in our room. Works out rather nicely for everyone.

This was our first day of our new adventure and I am excited to have more to write about and experience in this country.

July 24, 2010

Step Aside

I sent an email yesterday to my women's bible study group. I wanted to let them know we had timing for when we are leaving and to ask for prayer for our family. The pressure has begun to build up as the dates draw near. As I wrote the email, I had to check a calendar to see exactly how much time we had left. Three and a half weeks! Yep, that's right...I nearly fell out of my chair when I realized the limited amount of time I have. I immediately started freaking out even more and began to look over my lists of things to do, phone calls to make, what to pack where, etc. One of my wonderful friends in the group sent me a reply almost immediately and it stopped me in my tracks. She quoted:

Psalms 40:1-3 "I waited patiently for the Lord to help me; and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord."

I am one of the many who have seen what He can do and has done and I am truly amazed! He heal my baby girl and made her whole again. When all the doctors told us she may not walk for a year, she walked in 2 weeks. When they gave her chemotherapy set for a teenage boy instead of a fragile 2 year old girl, she got through 14 or the 16 treatments with the cancer gone. When I had no family to turn to and show me unconditional love, God provided my sister Regina to show me what that looks like. So with all that I have seen, why do I still feel the need to not let go and let God have it? Is it so hard for me to allow God to have control? The short answer is yes. I am weak and I am unworthy and Satan uses all of that against me. He hits me when I am down low and again when I am up high.

Don't worry though, God also hits me when I am high and low...He hits me with powerful lessons through Godly men and women in my life. Just like the way my friend sent this passage at just the right time. I became a member of a church for the first time in my adult life this year. That was not by accident or coincidence. He has a plan for all of us. So I am trusting His plan for my life and for this move. Three and a half weeks! If He can heal my baby of the cancer in her body, a move across the world is nothing!

July 22, 2010

Where to start?

I have tried to start this blog several times since I created it in January to no avail. It seems I would begin and then get sidetracked by kids, husband or my lack of confidence. Today I decided to give up my fears and go for it.

My family and I are preparing our next adventure. We are moving to Malaysia! Yep, David has been given an amazing opportunity and we are going for it. To say I am not scared would be a lie. I am ultimately terrified of this major change in my life. Uprooting my kids, myself, and adding stress to my marriage is not the most fun. However, if I have learned anything over the past year and a half, it is this...the easy stuff doesn't get you far and you have to give up the control you think you have. God is the one in control! My faith has grown exponentially and because of that, I have peace that this move will be a wonderful experience that will be used to honor God and strengthen our family.

I hope this blog is entertaining and maybe makes you stop and think about your life. We are all on a journey...we just don't all take the same paths.