Our family will be living in Johor Bahru, Malaysia for at least a year ...keep track of us as we journal our adventures and daily experiences.
30 June 2010
Dinner tonight
I often wonder why I am so into posting the dinners we eat here. Sometimes it is because one of my goals of being over here was to learn some Asian styled cooking. I certainly have...not in the cooking classes I imagined, but on my own. Another reason I post food is because I am amazed at what one can cook with just a hot plate. No stove, no oven... I think it really is amazing that we can still eat simple and yet tasty meals without the luxury of a full kitchen. I joke and yet am serious that I know am an incredible camp cook...and yet my camp stove actually has 2 burners! Anyway, the other reason I post our meals here and there is because as a wife and mother...as the one who do to timing is the main cook in our family....well, I often need inspiration. At about 3:30 in the afternoon, I panic for one brief moment and say....I did not plan for dinner tonight what the hell am I going to make! I care about the food our family eats...I care about it being fresh and well balanced. But many a week- I am left feeling in a rut or un-inspired. So often I post simply to give someone else another idea. AND I am a simple healthy kinda cook.......no dishes need 500 ingredients or to take all day....well Indian food requires a bit more effort, but worth every minute. So here is another simple healthy one pan meal made with lots of love.
Mediterranean Rice with Fresh Greens
Olive oil in the pan
2 cloves crushed garlic
small chopped onion
saute til soft
add 1 cup rice
cook about 2 minutes
add 2 cups chicken broth
cook till rice is almost done
add 1 can stewed tomatoes or cut fresh ones even better
simmer til rice is all the way done
add chopped fresh basil
let stand- off heat but with lid
add cubed feta cheese just before serving
was going to add Kalamata olives...but they had pits so we just ate them along with...
Salad with lettuce, cucumber, dill, cherry tomatoes and croutons!
ENJOY~
Mall Dragon
I ventured out today to meet a few friends at the Sutra Mall. When I arrived at the front entrance this beautiful dragon greeted me. I have no idea why it was set up...I know of no specific festivals happening now. But this Mall is a Chinese owned Mall- during Chinese New Year there were amazing decorations...perhaps today the owners are simply adding art! This is what I LOVE about being in another culture: the colors, the celebrations, the rituals, the art and traditions...fabulous. Please notice the pictures look a bit foggy. That is because I got out of the car which was cooled by aircon...and into the humidity which is brutal...and my lens instantly fogged. OH humidity how I have grown accustomed but not fond of you.
Birthday Party
Genevieve and Ruby at Alexandrea's McDonald's birthday party...getting ready for musical chairs~
yikes...
Alexandrea's mum in the background....and the Birthday Girl Alexandrea....from Genevieve's class at school in the forefront.
Genevieve sitting on Brennah's lap watching the chaos of the music on decibel 100...for musical chairs.
McDonald's is HUGE in Malaysia- as it is in most places in the world. It is viewed as quintessential WESTERN food. The restaurant as packed 24 Jam which means 24 hours in Bahasa. Anyway- McDonald's is also popular for children's birthday parties. We have been to McDonald's exactly 2 times since being here. One for a party for a 1 year old and now a party for a 7 year old. We had to convince Genevieve on the way in that it is OK to eat at McDonald's. We have brain washed her so much that she was nervous to even eat it as an exception. Anyway- the party was fun for Genevieve to be involved with her classmates outside of school BUT it was so loud and wild....after awhile....I just had to go...go to the quiet....away from the smell...perhaps that will be our last McDonald's party. Perhaps.
yikes...
Alexandrea's mum in the background....and the Birthday Girl Alexandrea....from Genevieve's class at school in the forefront.
Genevieve sitting on Brennah's lap watching the chaos of the music on decibel 100...for musical chairs.
McDonald's is HUGE in Malaysia- as it is in most places in the world. It is viewed as quintessential WESTERN food. The restaurant as packed 24 Jam which means 24 hours in Bahasa. Anyway- McDonald's is also popular for children's birthday parties. We have been to McDonald's exactly 2 times since being here. One for a party for a 1 year old and now a party for a 7 year old. We had to convince Genevieve on the way in that it is OK to eat at McDonald's. We have brain washed her so much that she was nervous to even eat it as an exception. Anyway- the party was fun for Genevieve to be involved with her classmates outside of school BUT it was so loud and wild....after awhile....I just had to go...go to the quiet....away from the smell...perhaps that will be our last McDonald's party. Perhaps.
Dylan
Our friend, Dylan is having his birthday today. He lives most of the time in Hong Kong these days. But he lived in Vietnam before that and has lived in Turkey, Greece, Cambodia....he is an avid SE Asia traveller extraordinaire. Right now, he is staying in Bali for 2 months teaching and practicing yoga- cause that is what he does......teaches and practices yoga... but this is what his facebook update just read.....and if you have ever lived anywhere in SE Asia....it resonates. So I share in honor of our dear Uncle Dylan on this his day of birth.
"a light drizzle unrecognizable from the constant humidity finds me in a synchronized effortless hip swerve with the oncoming scooter while the pushcart merchant squeezes a handblown horn ... and for a second i actually tangibly remember that i am in south east asia"
"a light drizzle unrecognizable from the constant humidity finds me in a synchronized effortless hip swerve with the oncoming scooter while the pushcart merchant squeezes a handblown horn ... and for a second i actually tangibly remember that i am in south east asia"
29 June 2010
Starbucks feels like home...oh scary thought
This is the brand new Starbucks right near the girls school. In fact, it is the FIRST ever in Malaysia drive through Starbucks! Anyway, on Hannah's last day of school- we stopped in for a cool refreshing ice shaken lemon hibiscus tea...and of course I had coffee! I love how the girls hang out here as if they were in their lounge at home. Now either that means I go to Starbucks often enough for it to feel like home...or it just feels so different than all of the other places we go around here- that to Nevi it feels familiar. Either way, I am both comforted and afraid! I will be delighted to go back to supporting local coffee shops as much as I can when I get home:) Until then...........wherever feels comfy!
Friendship gifts
Hannah and Genevieve exchanged a gift before Hannah left~ They each gave the other a Kimmi Doll. These dolls are beautiful. They are wooden and each has a specific quality or meaning. The one they gave is called Kaona and represents Friend. The descriptions says: My spirit celebrates and commiserates. In good times you show my spirit by celebrating the lives and accomplishments of others. In difficult times your comfort and support reveals the spirit of a friend."
Hannah has a whole collection of these dolls....and now Genevieve has begun hers as well. Just a beautiful doll to collect~
Genevieve, Hannah and Tiara
The girls chat with Mr. Mike!
Friends forever~
Hannah has a whole collection of these dolls....and now Genevieve has begun hers as well. Just a beautiful doll to collect~
Genevieve, Hannah and Tiara
The girls chat with Mr. Mike!
Friends forever~
27 June 2010
blah
I need a swift kick in the pants...I feel blah. The sun is shining cause it does here- that is great! It is a weekend- the times I usually love the most cause Nevi, Devin and I can all be together. But for some reason I am dragging.Simply dragging. Perhaps it is being almost over the flu....both Nev and I have seemed to move through this flu and let our fevers go...but I still feel exhausted. Or maybe it really is a time of mourning...the lack of our friends here at Pulai Springs where we live. Yunno, we expats we get attached quickly to people...and yet we know they come and go...but Nevi having Hannah to play with and me having Kate to play with....well the days just are not the same. Maybe it is a bit that when they left...I realized we did not have too long left to be here. perhaps my gears are shifting...I am looking toward August 1, but we are still in the end of June. SO maybe I am shifting gears to try and figure out how to fully live these next weeks in the present and yet be ready and prepared to move back to the States after a year away. Maybe it is my worry about sending Genevieve to school tomorrow alone with a driver...Maybe there is more going on inside my brain and heart than I think...and thus I feel a bit blah...and oh so tired. Sometimes I resist giving in...but one of the lessons I have had the freedom to try on here- is slowing down. It is ok to slow down when you feel the need. IT is ok to rest...to stop and surmise the scene- to not be so over involved that you forget what might be going on inside. So I am taking my own new medicine...it is ok to feel the blah's...and perhaps tomorrow I will wake with a new sense of excitement. Change is essential and change is often hard. Maybe I just need to catch up with myself. So, I feel gratitude for the sunshine...and will be happy to lay my head down tonight for a good sound night of rest. Tomorrow is a new day.
26 June 2010
Ginger Chicken Salad Rolls
Another dinner experiment~
crushed ginger
garlic
onion
minced chicken
a dab of oyster sauce
cook in olive oil until done...splashing with white wine as needed~
Then used fresh lettuce and carrots
and rolled with chicken mixture in rice paper wraps...
Would have been really nice to have a hoisin dipping sauce, but we were all out...next time:)
seriously
This is a classic sight. Double parking takes on new meaning around here in these parts. People really want to park right next to the front door of wherever they are going...there might be a spot available down the way...but instead parking in front of the door takes precedent. I have seen people park in this very spot over and over again. Today I happened to get a great picture. So this white car is parked- no one in the car- doors locked....only problem is- they are parked across the back bumpers of two other cars which are in actual parking spots. Now what would you do, if you came out to your car to find someone had completely blocked you in.....but they were no where to be found. In fact, I was here for over 45 minutes and still.....this car was parked there. Un-heard of! Blows our minds...seriously.
25 June 2010
darn again
Oh well- when Genevieve came home not only was she not a wild child- but I could tell by looking at her- she had IT too. So we have spent the last 2 days home from school- hunkered in- watching movies together- cuddling- reading aloud and well being sick. My fever is about gone- but dear sweet child's has peaked up to about 102 today. She feels crummy. But I think she is powering through. A bit of aconite has lowered the temp a bit...and I hope for her another really long night of sleep. Now we are doing everything in our power for Devin to avoid this little flu. He can do it!
23 June 2010
darn
Got a fever today. Got the chills and the bones aches. Got a BIG headache. And a bit of a cough comin on. Not so fun. Really hoping Genevieve and Devin do not catch it. Oh well a quiet day at home- laundry done...tidied up the place...and now I need some rest. Sure hope my daughter is not a wild child when she gets home from school- please oh please let the power of a movie settle us both in for a rest:) I will kick this bugs butt.
21 June 2010
Sea Gypsy Resort, Sibu Island, Malaysia
We got a chance to go away this weekend. A few of our expat friends are moving home and away from JB. Ann has been in JB for over 20 years and is moving to Malta. Pam and David, friends from Xerox have been here with us for the last year and they are going back to Oregon next week. So in celebration and farewell- we came to the Sea Gypsy Resort- a place they have known well. It is BEAUTIFULLY rustic and perfect. Little villas scattered along a long stretch of yellow sand- palm trees-blue waters-great people-snorkeling & diving-
Our little villa was ready for Genevieve- including a child's chair on the front porch.
Really all one needs...two beds with mozzie nets- a bathroom with toilet, cold water shower and sink and a front porch!
more villa's...and then the restaurant/bar is a thatched roof open air beautiful space- looking out on the crystal waters. Seriously people- this was GREAT! Thank you Ann , Pam and David......and fare thee well.
Our little villa was ready for Genevieve- including a child's chair on the front porch.
Really all one needs...two beds with mozzie nets- a bathroom with toilet, cold water shower and sink and a front porch!
more villa's...and then the restaurant/bar is a thatched roof open air beautiful space- looking out on the crystal waters. Seriously people- this was GREAT! Thank you Ann , Pam and David......and fare thee well.
family
As far as I am concerned there is nothing more peaceful or relaxing or re-fueling than time by the sea. I am so glad our daughter feels the same way.
Bar Keeping
Where else in the world can an almost 7 year old hang out at the bar????
And where else in the world can a guest go behind the bar to make another guest a Mojito...with his almost 7 year old daughter watching and helping?
And could some one please assure me that that glass does not belong to my almost 7 year old daughter....
Handsome husband working magic behind the bar- I did tell the staff there that we would stay if they hired my husband- would have stayed at Sea Gypsy for a few months easy~
And where else in the world can a guest go behind the bar to make another guest a Mojito...with his almost 7 year old daughter watching and helping?
And could some one please assure me that that glass does not belong to my almost 7 year old daughter....
Handsome husband working magic behind the bar- I did tell the staff there that we would stay if they hired my husband- would have stayed at Sea Gypsy for a few months easy~
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