A long week

Orchids at Sungai Buloh

It's been a long week. 

Marlene departed and arrived back from Indonesia, and left again for Cameroon on Friday. She's been doing so much travelling this month and she's tired from it, which makes everything else much more difficult. On the brighter side, I just got a message form her this morning that she arrived safely in Yaounde. 10 days in Africa, a couple of weeks in KL and then the whole family is headed to Nepal for a week before heading back to lovely Canada - can't wait to start travelling myself!

Playing in a stream at FRIM

Fish pond at Aurelia's new school

While Marlene was in and out the kids and I moved apartments from a 5th floor condo to a ground floor flat. I am so happy we moved! We have a back yard (which I doubt we'll ever use) and a front yard from where we can access the pool 100m away. Having a front yard and small deck make all the difference in the world. We've had picnics out there already. The kids play half the time with sticks and leaves, and get to run around with their friends. I've enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine while reading my new book about Alfred Russell Wallace out there. Now, we need to get some chairs, table and BBQ to bring it all home. The flat is also quite a bit larger with more open spaces, so it just feels better as well. It is more social and we have already had several visitors, whereas on the 5th we never had one visitor! So, happy to be here. 

Scary!

The kids have been doing very well despite all the changes and the absence of Marlene. I marvel over their inventiveness and ability to create out of so little. They take everything in stride - most of the time! The three of us had breakfast out earlier in the week and I was amazed to see Rowan dipping his roti canna in dahl. He even dipped in more spicy curry sauce. I was a proud Malaysian father that day! We ate out a lot actually. Went out for appam (rice flour pancake with coconut milk and brown sugar) one evening for desert, more roti, and a lovely dinner at the Italian restaurant at the BSC, where we spoke with Nanny Pa. 

Pider man!

Friday was very hectic as I brought Rowan to a Commissioner of Oaths to guarantee his passport photos, and then to the embassy to submit his passport application. We rushed home so I could take a shower before my interview with the WWF. I had been seriously wondering if I actually wanted to work as I have been enjoying being with the kids and taking advantage of my free time with two yoga classes a week. It is a pretty plush life. However, during the interview I was reminded of how exciting and encouraging it is to be challenged intellectually and to be part of a team working on a project. So, even though I doubt I will get this very big job at the WWF, I will continue to search for interesting work. 

On the way to Aimee's

Kids playing outside the flat

We woke up late Saturday and played in the flat for a while before heading out with Sharon, Richard and Finley. They have been so great to us - very inclusive, kind, fun, and interesting. They are great friends and Finley is an adorable kid, so it is always nice hanging out with them. We went to a store selling used furniture harvested from hotels that are undergoing renovations, then we stopped for Peking Duck at a food court in Desa Hartamas - so good. Sharon and Richard are big eaters as well so we also got a few orders of Siew yoke and char siew. So much meat! Then we went to the weekend bizarre at Amcorp mall and Rowan got his very first super hero figurine - "Pider man!" He clutched that thing like a little voodoo doll for the rest of the day. At home we had a nice swim and played outside before dinner. Finally, today - Sunday, Aurelia is at Aimee's house and Rowan and I are holding down the fort. We'll push off for lunch soon down to the village and buy some groceries. Good day to get caught up on things!