Well, right before we left for the states I had reached a major milestone of my own (these days Evan isn't the only one learning new things!).....I drove!!! Yes, Evan and I made our first trip outside the country club gates and went to our local Jaya Jusco (our version of a Super Wal-Mart....yet nothing like it!!). We only managed to get honked at once.......so what I learned is that you have to constantly be looking in your side-view mirrors because these people on motor bikes will completely sneak up on you. I was so concerned with taking someone out, it made it even harder to concentrate on driving on the left side of the road. I just had to remember "center lane should be on my right shoulder"....and if it felt "right", I was probably doing something wrong!!! This also applied when I would try to use the turn signal with my left hand and the windshield wipers would come on ....so here again "if it felt right...do the opposite." Aside from a few minor glitches, we called it a successful trip. We made the same drive a couple of more times, but then headed back to the states just as I felt like I was getting more comfortable and able to have a bit of freedom (no more having to constantly rely on the driver to get around!!). When we returned, our contract was up on the company-provided rental, so we are now back to one car. We placed the order for my much-anticipated new minivan prior to leaving, but just as they promised, it is looking to be an 8 week ordeal (to be quite honest, it won't surprise me if it's the end of August before we see it....it's sad but I've become quite the pessimist when it comes to expecting things to get done around here.....the Malaysians are never in a hurry...except on the road!!!) Anyhow, ranting aside, my car won't be here for another few weeks, so Andrew and I are managing with his Waja for now. On the days I need to go somewhere, he either catches a ride with our neighbor down the street (also COP working for Petronas) or has Azman come pick him up. We are spending several days either in KL or on vacation (more about that shortly) over the next couple of weeks, so I guess it won't be too bad!! Since I will not be able to resume practicing my driving, I will now have more time to keep up the posts......yeah right....not with a 10 month old who is learning how to walk (these days if you give him one hand he'll take you everywhere with him!!!)
Let's see, next story......well here's a doosy for you......
The following Thursday after we returned home from our trip to Oklahoma, Andrew and I were awakened....at 3:30 in the morning again.....no, not to the loss of power or happily, chirping birds.....but to the sound of water running this time.....and lots of it!!! We both jumped out of bed to see where it was coming from....it was coming from the kitchen. As we were walking down the stairs, I thought maybe one of the sink pipes had busted or something, but no.....we saw that it was raining......inside the kitchen!!! We knew that it had been raining throughout the night, but no serious rain, we've definitely seen worse.....and yet, it looked like someone had opened a faucet in the ceiling!! There was about a 1/2 inch of water throughout the kitchen and the water had began to make it's way down the stairs into our basement (luckily we heard it soon enough to get some towels down on the last step to catch it before it soaked our rug). The water was also falling directly into our laptop keyboard (I know, you are wondering how I'm typing this now.....well so am I.....I have no idea how our computer survived it.....Andrew emptied about a bowlful of water out of the keyboard!!), our CD player and our new printer (all of which are amazingly still operating!!!). God definitely spared us.....it could have been so much worse. Once the rain subsided outside, it did so inside as well. So what did we learn from this delightful experience....after spending an hour and half cleaning up all the water and putting buckets under the remaining few leaks.....RENTERS INSURANCE.....it comes in handy in these sorts of situations!!!!! Also, we now must ensure that the cement gutters are cleared of debris at all times because that is supposedly what caused the leaking (or gushing rather!!!).
Yes, that is raining coming through the ceiling....only picture it with a much bigger gush and coming from about 8 different places....this was about the time it started to slow down... 
On a brighter note, we had a nice weekend trip to KL last weekend. Andrew had a meeting scheduled for this past Monday, so we thought we would make a full weekend of it. Andrew is also reaching milestones of his own.....he drove us to KL for the first time!! For those who think this shouldn't be that difficult, you don't know the crazy KL drivers....if rules were obeyed, there would be no problem....but it seems that in this country, people make their own rules....at least when it comes to driving! Anyhow, we had intended on going to the Aquarium, thinking Evan may enjoy looking at the fish, but a later than anticipated start and a lot of rain, put us in KL later than expected. So instead, we went to our favorite restaurant near the hotel, CHILIS (isn't it sad that we've resorted to this being our favorite!!), and had a nice lunch and then back to the hotel for Evan's afternoon nap. So, not the fun-filled afternoon we had expected....we also missed out on a pool day due to the rainy weather.....but we had some good meals nevertheless!!! On Sunday, we took Evan to Gymoboree for the first time since we've been here. He hadn't attended a Gymboree class since he was 4 months old. At first he wasn't sure what to think of all the babies (there were about 10 others, of which, Evan was one of the older ones in the Level 2 class which is for 6 -10 month olds), but about 20 minutes after warming up to everyone, he was smiling and dancing and walking all around. He took about 8 steps by himself while we were there....I think the grip he was able to get on the gym mat combined with how soft it felt when he fell to his bottom, made him quite the daredevil. After he took those steps on his own, you would have thought he thought he had mastered the art of walking....he would try to take off and let go of our hands everytime. It was so funny to see his feable attempts!! He is so much fun to watch these days....he gets so frustrated at things when he can't do them and makes this grunting noise....it's hilarious! He is developing quite the little personality!! All in all, he had a fantastic time. We hope to be able to attend at least 2 classes a month. In a couple of weeks, we'll start trying out the Level 3 classes.....
It was all about serious faces while concentrating on the various things they had us doing at Gymoboree....picking up bean bags, finding out what was underneath the cones, chasing balls, swinging in parachutes, catching bubbles.....Andrew and I were the ones wiped out afterwards....good thing it was only a 45 minute class!!
As I mentioned earlier in my driving story, we will be back in KL this weekend through Tuesday....Andrew has another refinery course he is taking, so Evan and I will be joining him. Other than trying to make it to another Gymboree class, I think Evan and I will be laying low and do some hanging out at the pool....I know, rough life E and I have!!! Then on Thursday, the family will head to Malaysia's East Coast to Pulau (that means "island") Tioman. It is about a 3 1/2 hour drive and then we will catch an hour and a half ferry to the island. We are pumped....this will be our first official vacation since we've been here!!! We are also taking along the nanny so that Andrew and I will be able to do some things together while the bug is napping. Not to mention that "Grrrandmuther" is completely stoked about going....while she has lived in Malaysia her entire life, she has never been. I'm sure she would have happily agreed to go with us even if we wouldn't have offered to pay her!! We've arranged for an adjoining room so that Evan is able to nap comfortably and she will still be nearby....it sounds like a good idea - I'll have to let you know how it all turns out!!! Evan is getting ready for his first beach trip...
Anyhow, guess that is it for now....other than I have to tell you, the next time I post I will probably have a true walker on my hands.....he is becoming braver each day on taking off on his own....today he hardly sat down!!! When did my baby turn into such a big boy.........until next time......
Anyhow, guess that is it for now....other than I have to tell you, the next time I post I will probably have a true walker on my hands.....he is becoming braver each day on taking off on his own....today he hardly sat down!!! When did my baby turn into such a big boy.........until next time......
I love the "it wasn't me" face.....I'm sure I'll be seeing alot more of it in the coming months.... 
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