The Silver Lining

For the first time since I have been in asia a sales assistant actually apologised to me! However, she wasn't apologising for not having XXL size for the big fat farang but was actually saying sorry for not having a size small enough!!!!!!!!! I know!!!! I may have food envy during every mealtime and have definitely had more watermelon juices than anyone should ever have to drink - but at least I'm no longer a total fatty!

A week in Bali

Had a fantastic time in Bali. Here are some pics....stories to follow......

Only Langkawi

May 1st brought another long weekend and the staffroom discussions at the beginning of the week revolved around where everyone was heading. Popular destinations were: Singapore, Cambodia, Taman Negara and Sarawak. When asked where I was going the words "Oh only Langkawi" slipped out! When did going to Langkawi for the weekend deserve an only? I really am spoilt aren't I!

We had a fabulous time watching the sun set from our deck chairs at the Frangipani, getting dunked by the unusually big waves and enjoying a cheeky beer!

We also caught up with the lovely Julia who had popped over from Hong Kong! What jetsetters we are!

All for Charity Daaahling!

I'm currently exhausted by the organised chaos that is charity day. All in a good cause we were raising money to send children at an orphanage to school and to help kids to have a cleft operation that would otherwise be out of their reach.

It was left up to the kids to organise so there was a lot of water, gunge and hairspray Dee and I sized up to each other on the balance beam and had probably the shortest pillow fight in history - I really have no sense of balance. I had my nails polished by a seven year old and I particularly enjoyed the game where I got to throw water bombs at the kids in my class and couldn't believe it when I actually got prizes for hitting them!

Amazingly, I managed to stay out of the stocks and remained dry and gungeless. The kids had a great time and nana came home for a nap afterwards.

Cover those Curves!

Iran's top prosecutor has today tried to ban the import of Barbies into Iran claiming they have negative social consequences. In a country where women are expected to cover up Barbie's skimpy outfits are somewhat out of place. However, instead of Sara and Dara (the local version of Barbie and Ken which never took off) perhaps Iranians should try and import Burqa Barbie and Hijab Barbie as found on shelves here in Malaysia. They are quite the hit!

Rainy Days and Traffic

Forget Mondays. Rainy days and traffic get me down! I'm at breaking point and seriously close a hideous bout of rain rage. It is grey and dull more than bright and sunny - I'm telling you I didn't sign up for this! I'm spending far to many evenings cowering from the lightening during yet another almighty thunder storm and my body is so used to jumping out of my skin that I'm now doing it involuntarily throughout the day. I have to admit though that it is quite fun watching the sky light up with each strike of lightening and it is awesome watching it hit the skyscrapers that dominate the skyline.

But apart from dampening both me and my spirits each downpour has the additional side effect of snarling up the traffic. I edged forward at such a pathetic pace on saturday night that it took nearly 2 hours to do a 20 minute journey, and the traffic cops on Tuesay only exacerbated the problem with their misguided attempts to regulate the traffic - they really should leave it up to those of superior intelligence - the traffic lights! I'm starting to develop muscles in my clutch leg that I never new existed and I'm regretting not getting an automatic just for the city traffic. However, I am glad I've got the jeep so at least I know that I can sail home through the flooded roads without the car leaking!

Anyway, rant over.....for now.

Nana!

I'm a Nana! For my recent trip I decided that I couldn't take all my pills and potions that currently keep me functioning or I wouldn't be able to pick up my bag, so I succombed and bought a pill organiser! Not what you would find in a normal 31 year old woman's overnight bag, but unfortunately it was a necessity - only just fit them all in! However, it may be resigned to the cupboard til my 80's soon as I am no longer popping quite as many pills - hoorah - I no longer rattle!