Almost into our home

We finally have a move in date-- this Saturday. Woo hoo! Hopefully I can schedule the movers to bring our shipment the same morning since we are really starting to miss some of our belongings.

I've been able to set up Skype and a local cell phone, and between those I've been able to keep up with Abonne conference calls, my team and clients in the US. Let's hear it for technology. I'm still in shock my how easy it is to continue working at home from a very foreign country. I just have to work out the time dfference. I called my mom last week and thought she sounded congested-- oh no, she must be sick? Nope, it was the pre-dawn hours and she wasn't up yet! Sorry, mom.

The condo we'll move into will allow Miles to finally have his own room (although I'm sure he will still sleep with us, so it'll really just be for his cars and trucks) and for me to have an office-- and we'll have a guest room for all our friends and family that will be coming to visit over the years. Our place overlooks the pool, and is said to be about 2200 sq ft. and 3.5 bedrooms, and 4 bathrooms. Almost three times the size of our last place!

And let me tell you about the watermelon. I was never a big fan, but oh my god-- it's delicious. The best Gilbert has ever had, he says. And that's just the fruit. I'm enjoying getting used to the cultural differences-- I try to avoid drinking ice cold water, but instead of receiving room temp water at a restauranr, we usually get a glass of hot water. Hhhhhmmm.


This past weekend, Gilbert sent me to the Angsana Spa downstairs here at the hotel for some Mother's Day pampering. Mine was called the "Bliss Package": 30 minute Body Polish (I chose the Jasmine Frangipani Sea Salt Scrub) and then showered outside on rocks surrounded by bamboo, then a 60 min Fusion Massage (thai/swedish, and let me just warn you that they do not have the same rules here about where you can massage), 90 min Instant Lift Facial (during which I fell asleep and woke myself by SNORING-- I haven't been sleeping well, so I guess I'm getting it where I can), then into a large warm bath filled with flowers and green some magic potion (?) where I dined on watermelon and some very sweet ginger tea. All of this took place in my own little curtain-surrounded hut. It was devine and I kept thinking-- I know exactly where to take my mom, Gilbert's mom and our sisters when they come.

Miles I and I have made a habit of getting up and hitting the park before it gets too hot-- and then cooling off at the splash park. Diapers are forbidden (even swim diapers, I know because I got whistled at by the security ladies) and most of the local kids are running around in their underwear. Very cute.

There seem to be a lot rules at this KLCC Park. Funny though, as I was with an Australian woman pushing our kids in the swings when she looked up and saw three grown men yanking on her older 3 yr old son not letting him go-- I think they were trying to get a picture of him (white children, especially pale, blonde ones) are often approached for photos, etc. but nonetheless it was scary. Not for the kid (or the grown men who walked away chuckling) but for the moms who wondered "what if...". Oh my god, I just hate to even think of it. So what was the funny part? The security lady managed to see none of this-- even though she was closer than we were. I saw her blowing her whistle at a family playing badmitton-- but touching someone else's child is just common practice here. Miles hasn't gotten more than the sweet cheek pokes, but he's younger and is pretty clingy lately, so he doesn't get far from me. I guess the more kids you have, the harder it is to keep them all right near you.

I like the fact that in the Muslim community it's common to practice Extended Breastfeeding. I was [happily] shocked though at how many Muslim women were breastfeeding in public. Muslim law dictates that women must cover their heads (oooh, way too sexy to show in public) but nursing in public and potentially flashing some breast area skin? No problem. :) But, like I said that's great that they nurse for so long. Not as common among the Chinese Malaysians, I've been told(my friend here told me it's considered "spoiling" the child to do so-- hilarious).

More later.......my honey just got home and we have some quiet time for a change (Miles is asleep)