Local Monuments and Architecture

Chinese gate at Friendship Park

Admiral Zheng He

The cat and panda bench

James' monumental dinner

The Pebble Paths -- E.

Two of our local parks here have little pebble walkways.  They are there, we are told, in order for people to walk back and forth across them barefoot (unlike the person in this picture).

Here is an excellent example of some contrasting worldviews we find in Malaysia.  East and West don't always view things the same way when it comes to health and the body.  From an Eastern (and specifically Chinese, I think) perspective, walking barefoot on the pebble path increases blood circulation and breaks up toxins in one's soles, consequently improving the vitality of other body systems and boosting one's overall health.

From my own Western perspective, walking barefoot on the pebble causes pain.

What my cultural perspective doesn't account for, though, is why I find these paths so compelling.  Every once in a while I do take off my shoes and stroll along over the pebbles, even though it hurts like mad.  I wish I understood that myself.

Nicholoustach...or, as Ethan spells it, Nikolaustag -QM

This is our third year celebrating the night when children (or at least German children) set their shoes out so that St. Nicholous can fill them when he passes by, and I still need the help of Ethan AND google to spell the holiday correctly.

In past years we had nice, closed-toe church shoes with room for the candy, but these days our children prefer sandals and Sponge Bob flip-flops. Its hot here. The pile of shoes on the left are there for a reason. When Dorie heard that St. Nicholous fills shoes, she wanted to maximize this opportunity so she neatly lined up all of her shoes AND James'. She shoved them aside when Ethan told her only one pair gets filled.

After Ethan took this picture he said, "Queena, you know who you remind me of sometimes? Your Mother.

Durian -- E.

 

There's so much to say about this tropical fruit.  I feel guilty, however, going on and on about a treat that many of you who read this may never get to taste this side of heaven.

So I won't.

Read what Wikipedia has to say about it instead.

Oh man, they're in season right now and I am happy.

House Tour: Before and After -- E.

There was a little bit of suspense when we moved into this house back in July: would it ever feel like home?  I find it gratifying to look back at how the house looked four months ago and see how it has changed.  Don't get your hopes too high -- this is no Extreme Makeover Home Edition -- but let me show you some of the changes we've made around here.

Then.  Not so bad out here really, but the grass needed some taming.

Now.  Pay special attention to our potted plant.  I love it.

Then.  The living room already had a little furniture in it, which was nice.

Now.  Real live people do even more for a place than the furniture, don't they?

The kitchen then.

The kitchen now.  (The big gray cupboard got moved to a different room.)

Wet kitchen then.  I don't know if the sheets of metal had been put up for
privacy or to keep out the rain, but Queena and I didn't care for them.

Wet kitchen now.  So now people can see us cook (and a little
rain does get in here at times), but we enjoy the light.

Then.  I did not think that most of that grunge was going to come off.

Now.  Not all the grunge came off, but most of it did.  I now find it
easier to believe that I'm getting clean in this shower.

Hey, by the way, it has been wonderful having some of Queena's family visiting us for the last couple of weeks.  Many readers of this blog have already found more details and pictures on PollythePatchworker's excellent blog -- if you don't follow Polly's xanga weblog, may I suggest that you begin today.