A Stranger No More

As we bid farewell to 2015, we have also said our good-byes to beloved Australia.

We are on the move once again, this time landing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. But before I expound on the move and all the wonderful sights and smells of KL, I want to properly acknowledge our time in Oz.

I made no secret of my crush on the sunburnt country- never have I encountered a place so beautiful or so pristine. Whether an endless expanse of dusty red earth or the clear blue waters of the fabulous Indian Ocean- the views never disappoint.

That said, the landscape is over shadowed only by the people.

Australians have an amazing devotion to country and tradition; celebrating their past, while passing along songs and stories that make century old tales relevant. Aussies have a love of sport and outdoors that often makes it hard to park at the park...or the beach...or the trails. Australians like to laugh, eat, drink and knock off around 4:00pm. They play hard and work hard, yet nothing seems to slow them down. It has been our privilege and pleasure to live in Perth. We have made friends and memories that will last forever.

And so we find ourselves again, leaving home.

Thank you for taking us in as your own. Oz has placed a stamp on our souls.

Today we are starting to make a new home in Malaysia- a completely different animal from serene Australia! KL is a thriving metropolis plopped in the middle of a rain forest: sky scrappers and monkeys, McDonalds and durian stands. A trip to the market can be an assault on the senses and carpool is not for the faint of heart! We are living in a compound, which is a lot like TCYC- kids run from house to house, pick-up games of soccer each night and hourly fridge raids by random children! It's great and has really helped the kids transition.

We arrived two weeks before Christmas and once the moving truck pulled up the clock started counting down to the 25th- things moved fast! We had all the boxes unpacked, a tree up and pictures on the walls by the 24th. It was chaos and survival mode- with a little Bing Crosby on the side! We celebrated with a turkey dinner pulled out of thin air and an impromptu Boxing Day BBQ for 18 by the pool. To say we have settled is an understatement. I've even memorized my mobile number!

Along with credit card debit and crappy furniture, IKEA sells live Christmas Trees- for about the same price as Home Depot. Ours was a sparse, dry, 10' Douglas Fir that lasted just long enough to get us to New Years. 

The kids covered it with our home made ornaments and lots of lights. The long low throw pillow on the far right end of the couch is Petunia- seems quarantine was exhausting!

This is the "Turkey" we had for Xmas Dinner.  I'm 75% convinced it was a goose...or an ostrich... We removed several feathers from the carcass and a large neck. It was indeed a Roast Beast and proof with enough wine and a vat of gravy you can solve any problem! 

With the holidays done and dusted, our focus turned to the start of school. The kids have not really registered that they have missed another summer vacation. When we moved to Perth in June- they started school in July. Moving to KL, we finished the AU school year in December and they've just  started up again in January. Result...they were begging to go to school on Monday- maybe three weeks is the new summer?

Yesterday marks a month for us here in Kuala Lumpur. So far my observations and experiences tell me this.

• The city runs on rice, nicotine and high fructose corn syrup. 
• If everyone abandoned KL for three weeks, the jungle would reclaim most of the city- the overpass near our house looks like part of the Raiders of the Lost Ark set. 
• I've been in line for food with three women in Burkas, a woman taking a selfie in a half shirt and cut off jeans and a man picking his nose- personal space and personal beliefs aside...it is truly live and let live here, and it works.

KL is known for its food and everything we have tried so far has been fantastic- with a few exceptions. Coconut rice in banana leaf by the side of the road- life changing! Rock melon icy poles- a revelation! Beef bacon and red bean ice cream...not so much. But with every new experience we are a little bit braver and bit more adventurous. Plus, as my very good friend says- a little diarrhea never hurt anyone!

No Styro...brown paper and banana leaf

IT WAS SO GOOD DAVIS DID NOT EVEN NOTICE THE DUNKIN DONUTS!

So that's news- the weather is hot and muggy...like early summer in Texas, but year round. We get torrential rains in the afternoons and hot steamy mornings. The sound of the frogs can keep you up at night- we are, after all, in a jungle.

I'll be honest. I'm not love struck with KL like I was with Oz. This move may take a while to grow on me. I miss being near the water and the deep blue sky. I miss going to school pick up and having a chat with my friends. I miss low humidity and flat whites. I miss the routine of it all.

Here we are starting new again. While each day holds the promise of an adventure, it also lacks the familiarity that makes things simple. Sometimes going to the grocery is enough of a challenge without the parking, and the new products and the confusion of looking for something as simple as broccoli. So while our transition has been so easy I've questioned my luck; I desperately miss the mundane.

Rice, isle 3...just lots of rice...big colorful bags of rice.

However, today KL scored some points. As I walked towards the kitchen I noticed what I thought was a bat on the sliding glass door. Upon further inspection, it was a moth.

The largest, furriest, most magnificent moth I have ever seen.



WOW! Just WOW.

So cigarette smoke and mopeds and big city aside; I think I am in for some surprises here. It is a whole new world- and different is always good.

Until next time- Selamat tinggal!

Evangeline