December - KL Style

It's December and it's Christmas time, and although we are in a Muslim country on the opposite side of the globe, we still very much feel the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

This year we are feeling the hustle part a bit more. You see, we were actually thinking we were going to be moving for the last month and starting 2018 in a new and undisclosed location. Decisions were put on hold and travel plans stopped as we waited to see what the future was going to hold.  As it all turns out, there will be no last minute moves with quick good-byes or frantic searches for a new home and school before the end of the holiday. Instead, we frantically got our lease reinstated for our condo, booked very last minute holiday travel, and am rushing around finishing holiday shopping.

Even with all of the added stress, it worked out well for us in the end since it is never easy to move mid-school year, but it has really put me in a different state of mind.  Instead of all of the annoyances, I find myself looking more at the things I am going to miss about KL one day, as well as the things I want to do and places I want to visit before we leave.  I also thought about this blog and all of the stories I haven't told about our time here in SE Asia, so it seems like a good time to bring it back. Our life here seems so normal, as we have now been here for more than three years, but I know that a lot will seem not so normal to our family and friends far away. Looking forward to sharing our stories, both old and new.

December in Kuala Lumpur is quite festive.  KL decorates for holidays well, no matter what the holiday or religion. Christmas is no exception. In fact, many of our malls here may be decorated just like those in the US and sometimes maybe even more so.

Center Court of Suria KLCC

Center Court of Pavilion

There is also Christmas music playing in the malls, grocery stores, and even street side.  Choral groups sing the songs of the season and Santa comes to meet the children, just like back home.

This production may have been a little less like home with its anime-like version of Christmas.

Although we live in a very tropical climate with lots of rain,  December falls into the rainy/monsoon season, so it's hot with the added extra wet. Although it is not the type of weather to get me into the holiday spirit, sometimes looking out the window at an overcast day helps me to thing that it's actually cold outside.

The following photo is a view out our window.  It's raining so hard that you cannot see the iconic towers located in the center of the photo.  Thankfully it does not rain like this all day every day, but sometime during the day a fairly large storm will come through.

Another view. Another storm.

December also marks the birthday celebration of our first born.  This year Anna turned fifteen!

Where are the years going?  Fifteen!

She celebrated by having twenty-two friends over for music, food, swimming, and even a bit of karaoke.

Early in the month I accompanied David on a quick business trip to Manilla, Philippines so I could visit with some good friends and join David at the company Christmas party.  The Manilla office is known for it's Christmas parties and it didn't disappoint.

The party includes full production competitive performances from office departments.  These people have serious talent beyond the office work that they do.

There was also plenty of food and dancing.  Probably the most entertaining Christmas party I have ever been to.

I took very few photos on this trip and this is the only one of David and I....a dance floor selfie from the end of the night.

I will wrap this up with the story of our Christmas tree.  I have boxes of ornaments we have collected throughout the years from our travels as well as meaningful ornaments that have been given to the girls, however not one of them hangs on the tree.  Why? Because we have this guy.

Look at him.  He's giving me the "I'm in charge here" look.  Two days after I decorated the tree with bows, plastic balls, and paper snowflakes, this is what the tree looked like.

I didn't see it happen, but the tree had been tipped completely over onto the ground.  I. WAS. NOT. HAPPY.  Thankfully I was smart enough not to hang our treasured ornaments or they would have been smashed on the marble floor. Dang cat! The tree was put back together as best I could and it hasn't been pulled over again.  It just needs to stand upright for six more days.  I think it's about time for a dog, so then maybe I can train it to guard the tree.  Or maybe next year the tree won't be as exciting to the cat. I can only hope.

We wish everyone a merry Christmas and happy holidays, as well as safe travel to all of our family and friends who are making memories away from home during this season.  See you back in the new year!




(Just a side note.  Not sure what this alert at the bottom of the screen is that has replaced our signature line graphic.  I guess I need to work on updating my backgrounds and design templates in the near future.)