I am here

I had a big day today. As some of you know- driving in Malaysia is not easy. First, we do drive on the "other" side of the car and road...but that is the easy part. Second, there are no laws...well there are laws but they are not enforced...and when they are enforced all you have to do is slip some cash to the officer and well....off you go. So drivers speed, park wherever they choose, cut, tailgate, crash, crash and crash. Scooters whiz by on both sides of the car in lanes they have created for themselves....well heck- cars do that too if they can fit by. I have even seen people drive the wrong way down a one way...on purpose because they have gone by an exit....no foolin. So when I first got here- I drove and a scooter hit the back of my car....huge trauma for me....so I did continue driving but only in our little neighborhood. The last month or so- I have been venturing farther from home. My friend, Kate who is a fabulous and bold driver- usually drives us around. But lately I have been driving but having her in the car- for moral support. In case we crash...or I miss a turn and get lost. But today- all by my 40+ year old self.....I drove to pick up Nevi and Hannah from school. The school is a good 20 minutes away on freeways and toll roads and everything. I have driven there with Kate a few times...but today SOLO! I never thought I would feel so feeble and AWESOME all at once. To many it is feeble that it has taken me so long...but seriously if you came here you would understand....and AWESOME because it makes me feel like...well I LIVE here. I am not a feeble white housewife...oh no......I am a white housewife who DRIVES! Pat on the back for me from me today.

more Indonesia

Devin is really an amazing photographer- and well it helps when there is soooo much interesting footage. But he is creative and really captures the moments, the culture, the daily life. Here are a few of my favorite's that he has taken on this last trip.

Ladies of Pulai Springs

Today Kate hosted a ladies coffee at her apartment. We had the seven women who live at Pulai Springs here. Well Pam a co-worker of Devin's lives here too- but she was of course at work. So we had Kate, from Australia-Sarah from USA-Beena from USA but originally India- Dinah from Singapore-Serena from Malaysia-Marcia from Brazil and Agnes from Singapore. What a lovely morning we had~

The girls

Beena

Kate

Serena

Delights

My dearest friend here, Kate is an incredible cook. We have such fun planning meals and sharing recipes. I love that I have the time to focus on recipes and food while being on sabbatical! Anyway- Kate has an oven...and she made a beautiful carrot cake, amazing chocolate, almond slice, sandwiches, savory muffins and a to die for peach pastry for our ladies coffee this morning!

Carrot cake and magic slice bars

Beautiful Kate and her creations

Savory muffins with polenta, sun dried tomato, spinach...BUTTER

Yum!

Devin's cobra lunch

Cuddles

A bit of a mother daughter series- Devin took these as we sat in a great little cafe waiting for our lunch. Devin of course ordered Cobra for lunch...anyway- I love our daughter more than anyone in the world. I feel blessed to have the gift of being her mama. And despite the fact it is 100 degrees...I love her cuddles and will want her in my lap even when she is 40!

Friends

Back in February, The Ryan family and the Bailly family had some of our new friends over to our pool for a fun family play date. Natasha, Richard, Charlene and Celeste are from South Africa. Lisa, Glen, Brinna and Ruby are from New Zealand. The girls all go to school with Genevieve and Hannah. It has been nice to meet some other folks just beginning their adventures as expats in Johor Bahru.