Well, This will be our last posting in Malaysia. It feels sad and exciting to be saying that. We have truly enjoyed our time here. And in many ways wish it could have been longer. But as the next chapter in our journey starts to take place we feel excited and ready for the new changes. We have been very busy getting our Nigerian visas............. It is a full time job moving from country to country! But we have everything in order now.

The company sent us a DVD about life and work in Nigeria. It was wonderful to see what our life will be like. Roger is very excited to start his new job, it is going to be a really good challenge for him. Roger thrives on challenges! We have just found out what apartment we will be living in, finally I can make a home again! I am going home to Canada for a few months while Roger goes ahead of me to Africa and gets every thing in order. He will receive all our things from Canada and Malaysia, get our house painted, hire a driver and maid. He also needs to do a bunch of traveling in Nigeria. We thought it would be best for me to 'stay out' of his way as those first few months of living in Lagos seem to be very crazy and frustrating. Also Davina needs to wait a few more months before she can get her yellow fever vaccination, which I felt reluctant going with out it. We are so excited to see every one! I will be all over Western Canada in the months I am home as I plan on visiting my and Roger's parents and also spending time in Calgary. I have no set dates for my travel in Canada as I am waiting on some dates from family. But I will keep every one posted.

We are saying good by to a wonderful part of the world. I am so much richer because I have been able to live here. The world is so much more beautiful then I could have imagined. It has been thrilling meeting and adapting to another culture. I feel so blessed to have the chance to travel not only within Malaysia but also other parts of Asia. I already look forward to coming back and seeing some other personal top travel destinations within Asia, like, the great wall of China, Vietnam, and of course I plan on going back to Bali, maybe for Rika's graduation. It is a very weird feeling knowing you may never do something again. Like when I go to the market or go buy my flowers knowing I may never do those things again here in Malaysia, oh my, it feels so sad. Leaving our down town apartment, the time has gone too fast. Again we may never live down town a large city ever again. I guess I need to get use to good-byes. That is one consistent thing about living and moving around the world!

I feel very torn over this move, sad to say good-bye to Malaysia but so excited about moving to Africa. I will add some photos of the last month and also some photos of the girls birthdays. We love you all and am looking forward to seeing every one in Canada!









Valentine's Day Chocolates


Valentine's date to the symphony


Davina's first birthday present


Ride at the mall.


Ice Cream Fondue!


Red lanterns for Chinese New Year.


To me (Roger) this picture is the epitome of KL. This is the kind of thing you see down every street; huge towers, some fancy facades, mass commercialism, a decrepit building or two, decorations hanging on every lamp post, crazy taxis, and ofcourse traffic signals that nobody follows.

We have been asked to up load some photos of Davina so every one can see her and all the growth she has been up to. She is almost eleven months! And my baby is much to quickly growing away from new born into independence and childhood. She is sugar and spice tied up so nice. She is so bright Roger and I are always amazed at how much she gets. Nothing is missed by Davina. We have so much fun trying to trick her (which never works )With her blue eyes and strawberry blond hair, she is quite a treat for all the Asians. I think her photo has been sent around the world by now, seeing as so many people take them of her. We get stopped everywhere for people to look, take photos or simply rub her peachy cheeks. They all marvel over her blue eyes. We marvel also. Marion and Davina adore each other and greet each other every morning with hugs, kisses and pure glee. Marion has yet to complain about sharing or adapting because of baby. She is very patient and has taken to her role as a sister very naturally. I will hear them playing together and Marion teaching Davina or including her. Makes my heart skip a beat! Just the other day we were playing at the park and she saw Marion climbing up the slide. Well Davina was certain she could do it also. Crawled over and climbed right up. No pauses or set backs, pink dress and all! Davina is the essence of life and she omits energy, confidence, and joy.
Marion is sweet and smart. Eager to learn. We are very challenged by her desire for information. She thinks about everything she hears and sees. She loves to travel, and adapts well to other cultures, foods, languages. She is very patient. We rarely have to tell her anything twice. The other day she was teaching Davina how to walk! Ofcourse Davina was falling, by the time I came to Davina's aid Marion was frustrated. I told Marion Davina could not walk yet, Marion then said " then why the heck does she have legs?" Marion is really looking forward to being four in a few weeks. She also is excited to learn how to read ( I told her when she turned four she will start to learn). She explains to me rather diplomatically what a set back to her life it is that she can not read on her own, that it would be much better if she did not have to wait until Roger or I could read to her. She is certain that life will be much easier for her when she can read on her own! I hope this updates you. Marion really misses everyone and is looking forward to having lots of fun coming home to Canada in the spring.











This is Devi our wonderful nanny!

National Monument. And, yes this is the Malaysian National Monument. It was designed by an American and much to the dismay of many Malaysians, looks very American.


Marion's favourite place in KL is Butterfly Gardens.






Sweat beads. It was 38degC yesterday!




Monkey's crossing


This is the park where I often meet Rose, Marion and Davina for lunch.


Marion calls this the "Spiderman Castle".




View of the Petronas Twin Towers(3rd and 4th highest buildings in the world) from the KL Tower.


The other side of KL. Who would ever eat at a restaurant like this?


Or this?


Christmas trees are appearing in the strangest places.

Marion wanted to have a Canada Day parade, so Rose and her made these flags in school and we lined up her barbies and threw candies while singing 'Oh Canada'!


Yum.


Dress up!




Marion modelling her new clothes.

Our first family holiday ever! The only thing we wanted for this holiday was sun and sea. We spent five days on a coastal island called Langkawi. We rented a cabana five steps from white sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water. We would wake to the sound of tropical birds alarming us the sun was up, we went to breakfast in an
"open air" restaurant, it had no walls so you were completely surrounded by the jungle. After breakfast we would grab our swim gear and books, go lie in the sun until lunch, eat, go lie in the sun. I have never experienced anything quite so relaxing, private beach, the sound of waves, palm trees over head. We did venture out to go on a cable car up the mountain where we saw breathtaking views of the surrounding area and Thailand. The resort offered some fun, Roger enjoyed time jet-skiing, and we had a romantic dinner for two on the ocean watching the sun set. The island and beaches are still so pristine and natural, I want to live there! Marion was so happy spending hours playing with her sand toys, collecting shells, running in and out of the ocean, monkeys in the trees over head, what more could a kid want? It was Davina's first ocean experience, she most definetly loved the sand. I again realized how much I love the ocean when we got off the plane and the sea air meet me I felt like I was home, hearing the waves lull me of to sleep, waking to the views, peaceful! Roger has been reminding me I am a prairie girl now, but I know I have ocean in my blood and that never really goes away!





Cable car
















Dinner for two.