Like the Good Old Days... Only New!

It came as quietly as one would expect. An email in among about 23 others in Laurence's email inbox. Only it was from Aki. Aki never writes! Usually Autumn is the one to keep us abreast of the comings and goings of this particular bunch. But this one really was from Aki. The subject brought back memories of the good old days, when Aki would see Laurence and say "Giasou Larry!". And so it began, with a click of the mouse, to find that Aki's work plans would bring him here, to KL, for a few days. Could we see each other? Would it work out? Might it be possible? OF COURSE!

When we did see each other it was, truly, like old times. It took just about a few seconds to get over the hugs and hellos, and 17 years since our last encounter seemed to just dissolve into the here and now. Time seemed to fly and stop all at once. Memories were shared, calls were made to Autumn and the kids, and smiles were broad on both sides. The second Aki gave Laurence his hug hello he turned to Irini and nonchalantly took her out of Laurence's arms. Natalia and Laurence waited for the response. It took just a second or two: A big broad smile as if Irini too knew that he was an old friend with a friendly face. The attraction was instantaneous and, from there on, they played on the bed, in the pool, at the dinner table. It really was great, albeit short. But sometimes, when short is all you got, it certainly is an opportunity to recognize just how important some people are in your life, despite being separated by distance and time.

Aki left us at a restaurant at KLCC waiting for a meal that we had hoped would be "quick" so he could enjoy it before his departure. As it was, it took too long and he gave us our hugs goodbye and took a taxi to the airport to make his flight that night. We got an sms the following morning that he spendt the night at the airport, his flight being over 12 hours delayed from the sounds of it. On to China. Then onward further back home to a loving family. Let's hope the next time it won't be 17 years gone by. We miss you already.

Irini's First Glimpse of Sporting Greatness

After a long deliberation close to six months ago, Laurence decided to give up coaching his beloved varsity girls volleyball team and work, instead, with the junior varsity program. He went back and forth on the matter but, ultimately, decided to spend a little more quality time with his family. In August, when try-outs were underway he would think long and hard to determine if the decision was the right one. Over the past week and a half he found it certainly was. You see? It turns out, it's not the level of competition that determines success, but the effort and the determination that is put into it. Add a little sprinkle of team cohesion, and some absolutely positive attitudes, and you've got a winning combination. Saturday brought with it the end-of-season JV girls volleyball tournament, hosted at ISKL. Coming off a last-place finish the week before in Penang, you would think the girls would be on a low, but Saturday morning brought with it a completely winning attitude. It was as if they were destined for greatness and, despite many close calls and dips and roller-coaster rides, they made the final where they played a fiesty Japanese School.

Irini made her grand appearance to the tournament (her second in the season) just before the final, and the girls all rushed over to see her, to hug her and just to look at her smile. They gave her a volleyball which she marched around the gym for the next hour or so. The game itself had the typical mental ups and downs, but in the end a come-from-behind victory was in the making. With the last point hitting the floor the girls were wrapped around each other in jubilation, tears falling freely down their cheeks. Irini was somewhat oblivious to the emotional overtones, but was certainly part of the cheering and the clapping and waving.

Laurence hadn't coached a team to a championship since the last time he was coaching JV about six years ago. It felt good. But not as good as the feeling that everything went so perfectly well. All the decisions, from the girls and from himself, were perfect. The season's objective were to play a level of volleyball where the team would deserve every point, and the opponent's points would likewise be deserved. That way the girls would know they were playing well and come what may. It sure is nice to play so well and also end up on top. Irini loved it!

Colors

Whatever the color, whatever the style, whatever size of clothing, cuteness is an essential part of a successful girl's identity.

See-Through Transport

What do you get when the clothes have all been washed and the hamper sits alone and empty? With a little ingenuity and some good old-fashioned fun, it turns out you can have a whole bunch of great times! Laurence tried the hamper on Irini for size, and she took off to the races. Laughter is becoming a bigger part of each and every day.

Driving Miss Irini

Irini has, over the past month or two, discovered what fun it can be to tug on a round wheel and watch it turn, be it in a stationary "real life" car or a coin-operated machine. It doesn't seem to matter what it's made of, what it looks like, if it is a convertible truck or a sports car. It doesn't matter what color it is or where it's made. When it comes to driving wheel she is a natural! Is this her first foray into the world of automotive zealousness? Can it be that her uncle Scott's fascination with cars and trucks is starting to rub off on her? Perhaps it's the fact that her father once daydreamed of becoming a world-class Formula 1 driver until he realized the cost of purchasing a go cart was prohibitive. But costs and reality don't stand in her way. She is a natural talent, whether it's on her own, or with company!

Waking Up (Weekend version)

When Irini wakes up she starts to look around her bed. Realizing that no one is there with her she begins a slow, but ever increasing, moan/cry/yell to gain the attention of her parents sleeping away in the other bedroom. She cries only for as long as it takes for one parent to open his/her eye (usually just one), recognize that daylight has, in fact enveloped the room, and clumsily clamors out of bed. The following few moments have to do with trying to keep from tripping on one's own feet, not ramming into the corner of the wall or bumping one's head into a half-shut door. Around the corner, and closer to Irini's room one can't help but wake up by the increasing volume of a small - but rapidly developing - pair of lungs. Finally, the long-anticipated arrival of a smiley face, two strong hands and one swooping movement gets Irini up and out of that confinement and into the world.

The parent described above is usually mommy. She takes Irini back around the hallway, past the same doors and corners, back into a now-brightly lit bedroom, and drops Irini onto the queen-sized bed. Daddy shifts a bit with the weight of his daughter landing on the mattress, but doesn't move otherwise. Irini, now recognizing that immediate and desperate actions are necessary to wake this slumbering parent, moves slowly at first, with a snicker eaking out of her lips. As she takes a step or two, and gets closer to her target, she can no longer control herself... her feet move swiftly (albeit in very small steps to keep from falling over on the sinking mattress) and, with a flop and a thump, lands right on daddy's chest, his arm, even his head sometimes. Daddy, knowing what is coming, and having begun his espionage mission for the morning, has a counter-attack planned, but has waited patiently this entire time, waiting for "the plop". As he feels her body shift forward and her weight plunge into his belly, he pulls her over to her side on the mattress. What ensues is a "take no prisoners" tickle session with little regard to the peaceful surroundings outside our window, filling the room with laughter and giggles. Mommy soon descends as well, in a bundle of joy and laughter and love. What a start to a day? Any day.