Happy Chinese New year!
Last Monday (2/8) Tobi and I traveled with some of our friends up to Fraser's Hill and Ipoh and returned on Wednesday. We have written previously about our friend Yap Miow Lin, who we met here in KL on our first Sunday here back in March of 2009. Well, she recently got married to a man named James Willis, a dermatologist from Idaho Falls, Idaho. They were married in the temple in the states and then came here for a traditional Chinese wedding for her family and friends.
James, brought one of his daughters with him, 10 year old Micah (he has seven children); and a couple of good friends from his home in Idaho Falls, David and Linda Jamison. So on Monday, the seven of us got in our cars, (James, Miow Lin and Micah in Miow Lin's car, and David, Linda, Tobi and I in our car) and drove up to Fraser's Hill. You may remember me talking about Fraser's Hill from last June's Youth Conference which was held there (when I returned home with at least 100 mosquito bites). Well this time it was much different. It was nice and cool up in the hills (I just can't call them mountains) and we had a very peaceful and relaxing time. On our way to Fraser's Hill we stopped in the little town of Kuala Kubu Bahru because we had to wait for our turn to go up the hill. During the daytime hours, traffic is only allowed one way at a time on alternating hours, so if you miss your cut off time, you have to wait an hour. Well, we missed our cut off time, so we stopped in KKB (as it's called) and went to one of the little mom and pop stores and got some fresh watermelon and pineapple and some sweet corn ice cream.
When we finally made it up the hill we found our little bungalow, unloaded our luggage and went to dinner at a little Chinese open-air restaurant near the resort. This was the first time I had actually felt cool air since I've been in Malaysia and it was quite nice. This time we were armed with mosquito repellent but I don't remember seeing many mosquitos at all. At least not compared to June.
The next day we had a nice breakfast of Roti (Indian flat bread) with various dipping sauces, Nasi Lemak (coconut rice with shallots, dried anchovies, egg, and sambal chili, and Milo, which is the local type of hot chocolate.
After breakfast we kind of broke up and went and did our own thing. Tobi went back to the bungalow and I went on a hike through the jungle. I saw some enormous tree-sized ferns, hanging vines (some covered with thorns. It caused me to wonder if the occasional thorny vine was the origin of Tarzan's yell.) I also saw a family of monkeys, but since I didn't have any food with me, they weren't interested and made a hasty retreat into the canopy. Coming out the other end of the trail I realized that I wasn't exactly sure where I was, but after an hour or so of walking I made it back to the bungalow, none the worse for wear.
After a quick shower we loaded up again and headed back down the hill (after once again missing our departure time and having to wait nearly an hour) and were on our way to Ipoh. On our way to Ipoh we stopped once again at KKB and visited with the Dass family. Paul Dass is in our District Presidency and what a wonderful family he has. He and his beautiful wife are of Indian descent and they have four handsome sons. The eldest is serving a mission in Colorado and Wyoming, the second is set to start his mission in Singapore (the home mission). They told us their conversion story and it was very inspiring.
Ipoh is a city in the northern part of Malaysia and, in contrast to Kuala Lumpur, is about 70% ethnic Chinese. On Tuesday evening we went to visit some of Miow Lin's friends from when she was serving as a missionary there. We were treated to the absolute best Chinese meal I have ever had. Soups, and salads, a dish with ostrich, savory fish and chicken dishes, prawns, ....... It was wonderful. We ate way too much, but enjoyed everything.
On Wednesday it was back to KL for Tobi and me, while the others packed into Miow Lin's little car and drove on to Penang.
One of the highlights for us was getting to know the Jamisons. We had ample opportunity since they were staying with us in KL and then we drove in the same car for two solid days. David and Linda had never traveled outside the U.S. before. It was fun to see their enthusiasm about seeing new things and places, and trying new foods, etc. As we talked and got to know each other they related to us the tragedy that their family experienced several years ago when their two youngest, a three year old girl, Aisha, and her five year old brother, Vaughn, died in a fire inside an old camper shell in their back yard. Several years later (and after having two more children) the Jamisons wrote a book about their experience as a family. It's called "The Crown Without the Conflict." (If you are interested in reading their story search for ISBN 1-59971-073-0 on this website: http://www.isbn4authors.com/database/index.php)
Meanwhile, back at home, I am in the process (finally) of getting a job at the Embassy. My security clearance finally came through and I am in the 2nd interview stage. We'll see what happens.
spent the afternoon and evening at the Renners house in Seremban. Great food and great company. We have grown close to this family since we got here. Tennyson is a big guy with a big heart to match and is a gifted writer and what I would call a philosopher. Anne is a beautiful Philippina with a heart of pure gold and the most beautiful alto singing voice. They have 3 little kids, Janella, who is the image of her mother, Zach and Jezreel (aka Baby Deuce, aka Booger), who are cute little boys who are interested in anything to do with guns. They are also raising Tennyson's three teenage boys from his previous marriage. They are handsome young men and have great personalities. Tennyson (age 17) Garrett (age 14) and Ethan (age 13).
Life is good here in Malaysia. We are enjoying our experience immensely. We realize that we have been greatly blessed. We thank you all for being part of those blessings
