Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Legoland
Lots to do! Last week we went to the Twin Tower bridge and on a road trip to Legoland and Singapore. It was hot, fun and we stayed busy.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Terry Fox Run
Today was the Terry Fox Run at the kids school. It's a run that raises money for cancer research. In 1977, Terry Fox had bone cancer in his right leg and had his leg amputated 15 inches above the knee. In 1980, he ran a marathon a day for 143 days! It's truly an inspiring story and I'm so glad the boys were able to partake in this worthy cause. I also was able to run with them - one of my favorite things! They both did great despite the soaring temperatures and hot sun.
Here are a few pics of our fun:
Here are a few pics of our fun:
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Batu Caves and FRIM
The Woolams are here! We've put off doing a lot of touristy stuff because we knew my parents would be arriving soon. So, we headed out today to see some of the local sites.
We went to Batu Caves, which is really hyped-up. It is a pretty cool cave, but it also seems to be quite the Indian/Hindu temple spot.
Then, we ventured on to the FRIM (Forest Research Institute Malaysia). We did some jungle-trekking (hiking) to the canopy walk. Which is a 200 meter long walkway that is 30 meters above ground. It was constructed in 1992 for scientific study of above ground flora and fauna. It was pretty fun and a little bit scary. The boys loved it and we're not phased at all by a precarious walkway. The total hike took about 2 hours. We returned just in time to relax by the pool and cool off before a large rainstorm arrived.
Here are some pics from today:
We went to Batu Caves, which is really hyped-up. It is a pretty cool cave, but it also seems to be quite the Indian/Hindu temple spot.
Then, we ventured on to the FRIM (Forest Research Institute Malaysia). We did some jungle-trekking (hiking) to the canopy walk. Which is a 200 meter long walkway that is 30 meters above ground. It was constructed in 1992 for scientific study of above ground flora and fauna. It was pretty fun and a little bit scary. The boys loved it and we're not phased at all by a precarious walkway. The total hike took about 2 hours. We returned just in time to relax by the pool and cool off before a large rainstorm arrived.
Here are some pics from today:
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Everyday Stuff
I really like blogging about what's going on - how cute the kids are and how much fun we're having. Ha! But, I wouldn't do this place, my life or our experience justice if I didn't write about the other stuff. I've always considered myself a positive, silver-lining, the cup-is-half full kind of a gal. But, now it's time for the other side.
1. There is always something broken, falling apart or not working. Internet, phone, computer, printer, air-con in the gym, access cards to the garage.
I know this is super-frustrating for Ryan because he is the one always working on the home electronics. The others are left to building maintenance, but it would be nice if those things worked properly!
2. At least once a day somebody in our family says:
"I'm sweating."
"what's that smell?"
"it looks like it might rain."
"don't walk on the grates!"
"don't touch that wire!"
I'll address these in order. It's always hot here. There's no getting around it. 77 in the morning, 90 during the day. It's not as hot as Houston, but when you throw in "what's that smell" it's definitely not as pleasant.
It stinks here. Literally. It smells like rain, sweat, body odor, smoke and curry. Depending on where you're at (or who you're around) these smells vary on degree of severity. I wished they'd use some Degree! There is also a really stinky fruit called durian. It smells so bad that some hotels and businesses have banned it from their buildings. I haven't tried it, but they say it has a custard-like texture and tastes delish - too bad it smells like unwashed gym-socks or rotting onions. Google it if you think I'm kidding. Apparently, we are also a few that use toilet paper. I thought everyone did! Nope, they don't. Beside every toilet is a hose that most folks here use in lieu of toilet paper. Sometimes there's not even a toilet, just a hole in the floor. Bizarre? A wet mess? Stinky? Yes, yes and yes.
At some point during the day, it looks like it might rain. It hasn't rained all day (yet) and it doesn't rain everyday, but it looks like it could. I don't know why we feel like we need to comment on it. But we do. Everyday.
The grates (on the side walks) and the live-wires are mostly safety issues for the kids, but they are everywhere and leading to who knows where. Wires sticking up out of the ground, wrapped around poles...
3. I really miss a stringent egg washing system. I didn't realize how clean US eggs are until I bought eggs with feathers and poop on them. It's amazing what we take for granted.
I'm sure there are many more, but this is what tops the list today. I even went to a wet market today and bought fresh pork and a recently clucked, I mean, plucked chicken. While it was different, it doesn't count as one of the smelliest or grossest places I've experienced.
As I circle back around to more positive things, there are a few things that have improved since we've been here. The boys have kicked their chocolate milk and fruit snack habit. I knew this would be a fresh start for all of us and we didn't need those in our lives anymore. I just told them they don't have that stuff here. They are also drinking a lot more water and less juice. Eating more fruits and vegetables and enjoying my cooking more. I guess faced with the alternatives, Mom's food isn't too bad after all.
All in all, it's not a bad place to live. The temperature is always warm, which I quite like. I'm a flip-flops and shorts kind of gal. I'm driving myself. I'm getting into a routine with the boys' school and knowing which grocery stores to go to during the week.
I do miss the conveniences of the US, but how can we expect to change, grow or experience new things when everything is simple, convenient and easy? I think we're doing a lot of that!
Mason says hi!
1. There is always something broken, falling apart or not working. Internet, phone, computer, printer, air-con in the gym, access cards to the garage.
I know this is super-frustrating for Ryan because he is the one always working on the home electronics. The others are left to building maintenance, but it would be nice if those things worked properly!
2. At least once a day somebody in our family says:
"I'm sweating."
"what's that smell?"
"it looks like it might rain."
"don't walk on the grates!"
"don't touch that wire!"
I'll address these in order. It's always hot here. There's no getting around it. 77 in the morning, 90 during the day. It's not as hot as Houston, but when you throw in "what's that smell" it's definitely not as pleasant.
It stinks here. Literally. It smells like rain, sweat, body odor, smoke and curry. Depending on where you're at (or who you're around) these smells vary on degree of severity. I wished they'd use some Degree! There is also a really stinky fruit called durian. It smells so bad that some hotels and businesses have banned it from their buildings. I haven't tried it, but they say it has a custard-like texture and tastes delish - too bad it smells like unwashed gym-socks or rotting onions. Google it if you think I'm kidding. Apparently, we are also a few that use toilet paper. I thought everyone did! Nope, they don't. Beside every toilet is a hose that most folks here use in lieu of toilet paper. Sometimes there's not even a toilet, just a hole in the floor. Bizarre? A wet mess? Stinky? Yes, yes and yes.
At some point during the day, it looks like it might rain. It hasn't rained all day (yet) and it doesn't rain everyday, but it looks like it could. I don't know why we feel like we need to comment on it. But we do. Everyday.
The grates (on the side walks) and the live-wires are mostly safety issues for the kids, but they are everywhere and leading to who knows where. Wires sticking up out of the ground, wrapped around poles...
3. I really miss a stringent egg washing system. I didn't realize how clean US eggs are until I bought eggs with feathers and poop on them. It's amazing what we take for granted.
I'm sure there are many more, but this is what tops the list today. I even went to a wet market today and bought fresh pork and a recently clucked, I mean, plucked chicken. While it was different, it doesn't count as one of the smelliest or grossest places I've experienced.
As I circle back around to more positive things, there are a few things that have improved since we've been here. The boys have kicked their chocolate milk and fruit snack habit. I knew this would be a fresh start for all of us and we didn't need those in our lives anymore. I just told them they don't have that stuff here. They are also drinking a lot more water and less juice. Eating more fruits and vegetables and enjoying my cooking more. I guess faced with the alternatives, Mom's food isn't too bad after all.
All in all, it's not a bad place to live. The temperature is always warm, which I quite like. I'm a flip-flops and shorts kind of gal. I'm driving myself. I'm getting into a routine with the boys' school and knowing which grocery stores to go to during the week.
I do miss the conveniences of the US, but how can we expect to change, grow or experience new things when everything is simple, convenient and easy? I think we're doing a lot of that!
Mason says hi!
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
True Americans
The International Fest was last week. The boys got to wear their red, white and blue to represent the U.S.A.
Brady also had his first experience as a cub scout and working a lemonade stand. He was nervous at the beginning. But, he got the hang of it and was a pro at putting ice and lemons in the glasses. We were busy and had tons of fun!
Brady also had his first experience as a cub scout and working a lemonade stand. He was nervous at the beginning. But, he got the hang of it and was a pro at putting ice and lemons in the glasses. We were busy and had tons of fun!
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