Know Where You Want to Go

One of the huge perks of living in KL is travel. We have been to Bali several times, Bangkok a couple, Phuket, Big Daddy hit Vietnam and our latest vacation was Krabi. I am a great traveler. Not much stresses me out. I have learned to pass out during turbulence, the girls and I are not ashamed to pop Dramamine in case of emergency and delayed flights are usually a chance for shopping or sleeping. Not a bad deal. Despite my whinging about my GPS even being lost can be an adventure.

But I am an awful Travel Agent. I have the inability to make a decision. Am I booking in the right area? Is this the best deal I can get? Is the resort kid friendly? And with the choices on where to go I have a hard time just picking a country, let alone a city.

So I recently decided to book us into Singapore. My in laws are coming and I thought a long weekend would be a nice break in the middle of their holiday and a great way to celebrate the kids Christmas Break from school. Well, turns out Singapore at Christmas time is Outrageously Expensive! That's OK, Big Daddy says there is a very nice island just off Singapore that should be cheaper. A quick search and I have two fabulous two bedroom suites for just over 100US a night. I am So Very Proud of myself.

Fast forward: We are sitting on the deck enjoying bubbles with our friends visiting from Perth. I am bragging on my good deal in Batam. Big Daddy says "you mean Bintan. Batam is an industrial island, much like the Port of Houston." Nope, I mean Batam. OOOPPPS. Maybe you should know where you are going when you start searching on line.
We are now going to Panang.

Clever Moms

I always thought I was creative in getting my kiddos to eat when they were little. (Teens and Pre-Teens are not a problem. N.S. has a hollow leg).
Peas were called green balls, broccoli were baby trees, and you never knew what color ketchup or milk might show up on the table. But here is a tip I HAD to pass along that I read today.
You know those giant rolls of craft paper? We used to roll it on the table and you could draw and eat at the same time And have a simple cleanup. I stole that idea from the Macaroni Grill on I-10 Freeway, but it worked Great!
Some clever Mom one upped my idea: Write the kids food on the paper and let them check the box as they eat their: Meat, Veggie and Milk. It's like a chore chart with stars only quick pay off for every meal.
Thank you to all Clever Moms out there!

Learn to Curse in Bahasa

I'll start off with the good news. Navy Seal is OK.
Now on with why.
When it rains in KL, chaos ensues. Traffic comes to a stand still, horns are honking (like it's going to help) and employers know half it's staff will be late to work. Truly, there is nothing you can do. So we accept it.

Yesterday morning was such a day. We live five minutes from the school. Yesterday it was 30 minutes. We finally pull into the parking lot in car pool line. Navy Seal had been asking for the last 15 minutes if he could hop out and run for it. For the last 15 minutes I had been saying no.

Motorbikes are part of the fabric of KL. They do not abide by normal traffic rules. They weave in and out of traffic. They go the wrong way on the road if the correct side is full. Even side walks have been turned into a motorbike lane if the mood strikes them. So I was saying No because it was too dangerous. There is no telling when a bike will pop up beside your car.

Now we are on school property, so I say Yes. Navy Seal pops out of the car, crosses in front of me so I can watch him get onto the side walk. And in Slow Mo as he steps towards the side walk, a Motorbike whips into our parking lot and Hits My Child. He goes up over the handlebars, wraps his arms around the guy on the bike and somehow stays on his feet (although we find out later one foot had been run over) and the motorbike comes to a stop.
Adrenaline kicks in. I am out of the car, N.S. is insisting he is OK and is headed to class. The motorbike guy drives around us and goes and parks his bike! I move up my three feet in car pool like, pop back out and go to scream at the man who has hit my child.

Unfortunately, he does not have a clue what I am saying. He knows I'm angry. He knows he is in danger. But I want him to know he is a stupid stupid man.

Bahasa classes start Monday. First lesson will be how to say Stupid!

Side note: By the time I was parked and into the school, N.S. did realize he was not well and went to the nurse. Mainly shock, but was sore for the day. All is now well.

Key Words

My children talk. ALOT. From a young age, they have had to learn how to take turns so they can be heard. And I listen. ALOT. But from a young age, I learned I can listen with one ear and get the general idea. Yes, little Susie was mean at school today. No, you didn't like the sub Mrs. Canoli at all. I can nod, agree and cook, drive, clean ect...
But...some days you really need to pay attention.
Halloween is one of our favorite holidays. Our subdivision has the entire school Trick or Treat through. We pass out candy and water to the children and Margaritas to the adults. There is a fashion show of the ghoulish, ghostly and grand that pass thru the streets. My children plan their costumes sometimes for months.
Navy Seal planned his in a week. While I was Driving.
I want to be a Vampire...White sparkly skin...Emo...Twighlight films...
No problem. He has black clothes, I grab a red and black cape, some vampire blood and the child is good to go.
It is now time to dress up.
Mom, what is this stuff? Your vampire costume. I wanted to be a Vampire HUNTER. I hate Twilight and the whole EMO Sparkling Bunch.
OOOPPSS! Key Word was missing.
That's OK Mom. Do we have a box?
He was a box and won the Halloween Costume Contest at a Halloween Party. No key words needed.

Standards

I believe my standards are going down hill.
Last week my interviews were along the lines of How long have you been driving? Do you have references? What Religion are you?
This week it's been
Do you speak English and not Smell.

Logos For Life

Big Daddy and I were chatting this morning about what to do with a Stack of golf shirts he will never wear. Some are the wrong size, some are the wrong color (for him), and some are just plain Ugly. Being this is the Second time this week, this topic has come up, (the first time was among wives at a coffee) I think it's time I do something. There are people not just in Malaysia but in all of Asia, that would be very thankful for not only a shirt, but a new shirt. I have to do some research and find out the best way to get this moving but please start your Stack. I think we can clothe the needy put those Logos to use!

Running for Beginners

My GF Lolita (remember names changed to protect the innocent) thinks I should take up running. I always want to lose weight. Not seriously enough to actually lose any but seriously enough to stay healthy. Most weeks I walk three times, then I skip a month, then I walk again. Lolita thinks if I start running, I'll love it so much, I'll stick to it.
I decided today to start running and here is what I learned:
Do not run with a water bottle in your hand. It's distracting.
Take off your wedding ring. Fingers swell when running.
Skip the sunnies. Once sweating, they are distracting.
Hair in a pony tail. Yes, I should have known that one.
And last But Not Least, where a double extra duty sports bra. Those girls will give you whip lash.
I can't say I had fun, I can't say it lasted long, but I can say I feel pretty darn good.
Thanks Lolita!