Hallway Antics: A Frienship Rediscovered

Irini loves to pull out the digital camera and take close looks at the photos and short video clips on there. She is particularly fond of the images with her in them, but often she reacts to others. as well. She might turn to us and make a sound of someone's name (e.g. "papou") or smile as she points at the screen. When she watches the images of people in the pool she starts to take her clothing off and ask for her bathing suit right then and there.

With this particular clip she practically jumped out of Laurence's lap and shrieked with joy in seeing herself and Isabelle running down the hallways of the ISKL Middle School during the Thanksgiving dinner. When the video was over she whimpered softly and clasped her hands together as if wanting to hold Isabelle's hand again.

We can only dream and hope that their lives are filled with such heart-warming hand-holding and that their friendship lasts them a lifetime.

While the dad's away...

Laurence headed off to Beijing for a basketball tournament last weekend. The tournament itself had the typical highs and lows along with a wonderful side-trip to the Great Wall of China, filled with blue blue sky, a chair lift up and a tobogan back down. More on that as soon as the photos are up, but suffice it to say that Laurence thoroughly enjoyed the cool weather. He made a point of waving to Trina and Joe as the plane flew over Dalian on the way from Seoul to Beijing, and he was also fortunate to see Kate for a couple days, in between games.

While he flew over the east Asian countryside, Natalia and Irini had plans of their own. It was Thanksgiving and, with it, came friends from out of town. Irini was able to meet Sheara and Kiana, the daughter of our frieds Pete and Olma (who used to work here but have now moved to Taipei) and have a great time laughing away in the living room. She also got to see our friend Michelle who, now working in Saudi Arabia, came to visit for a conference here in KL. Of course, the time would not be complete if Irini was not reunited with her bestest of friendses, Isabelle (and her mom, Melissa, of course) as they are in town for a month or two while working out the intricacies of adoption.

Natalia told Laurence tales of laugher, of jumping on maps and running around the hallways. She told him of trips to Peter Hoe (everyone who's anyone knows Peter Hoe!) for some Asian shopping and snacks. The time was busy. The fun complete. The bonds of friendship stronger still.