Outs and Outs

The very last day of the vacation is today. Technically it's already over. The new year is here. The weekdays are done with (as far as days off, that is). The school schedule begins tomorrow. The entire vacation had its ups (i.e. special moments when Natalia and Laurence would look at each other and 'know' just how lucky they are to be together, to be the parents or these two particular children and to be living in this place) and downs (i.e. tantrums and "I want this!"). There was the week in KL (with Christmas preparations), the few days in Singapore, and the week back again. Earlier this week we took an evening/night trip to the Kuala Selangor fireflies (and Chinese dinner along the riverbanks). We took a couple dinner photos as the sun went down along the mangroves across from us, and then drove to the firefly area where we promptly got into boats and were whisked away by an oarsman. The idea was to take some photos as we got into the boats, but things happened quicker than anticipated so by the time we took our camera out, Tia, Avi and TTmouz were already on their boat and heading into darkness. We took a rushed photo, just in case, but the resulting black image leaves much to the imagination. :-) The trip itself was a big success with the kids. Irini even wanted us to read her the firefly book that we had for bedtime story.

Overall the vacation was a good one. We are happy we didn't have to fly half way around the world and though we missed our friends in Greece (and still do!) we were very content to stick it out closer to home and enjoy the warm weather and tropical yule.

About a week ago Irini announced that she was ready to go back to school. She asked if she would have the same teacher ("Will Ms. Wu be there?") and was very happy to find out that everything will be just as it was last time she was there. Laurence and Natalia have slowly begun to talk about school again (the schedule, what are we teaching, etc.) and by tomorrow they have to, somehow, have their mindset ready to great the students again. The thrust back into work needs to be instantaneous. A teacher wouldn't want his/her students to think that he/she isn't excited to be back. Happily, we won't have to fake it. Vacation is great. Work is good. We are happy. Welcome to a new semester.

I'm 4!!

It's turning into quite a tradition of special vacation days. The three week 'winter' break culminating with a special birthday just for Irini. Normally this day would be celebrated in Greece followed by a post-birthday in Malaysia after our arrival, but this time we were based in Malaysia, so that's all Irini gets. Not that she worried about it, or seemed to care that there was just one rather than many. In truth, the birthday celebration was drawn out anyway...first there was that whole Christmas present opening thing (both in KL and in Singapore). Then there were the presents given by mom and dad, opened after waking up on the morning of her birthday. We talked to our family in Colombia and Sweden. Then there was a pool party with her friends and later she openend their presents. Add to that the arrival of Sammy and Erika's Christmas presents which were collected and opened that morning. Finally, after Scott and Rebecca returned from the US (yesterday) there were even more presents. Our girls have been showered with way too many exciting things that will entertain them for a long time~ we thank everyone for their generosity. They were all a big succes!

The only glitch, of course, was that silly insistence of everyone to sing happy birthday to Irini. Of course, though she loves singing it for others, having it sung to her is a big 'no no' and so it was that the extended family in Colombia and the visiting guests here all had to be told to 'not sing because I will cry'. Birthday wishes turned into a scattering of "happy birthday Irini" statements, and it worked much better, though for a brief moment there were some tears. Perhaps by next year we will perfect the procedure so that it's smiles all the way.

Happy birthday little beautiful one! You are, as you show in your pictures, four. We are sooooo happy to have shared it all with you and can't wait for more.

Kali Xronia!

When you live overseas, traditions take on a larger-than-life significance for the sake of maintaining the cultural links to the 'homeland'. So it was for Laurence, who decided that, now that Irini is beginning to recognize the difference between where we live and where we're from, it is important to initiate the formal tradition of the cutting of the vasilopita in Malaysia.

For those whose experience does not include Greek (or similar Balkan) traditions, the vasilopita is a cake made specifically for the new year. It is normally cooked from scratch and in it is a cleverly concealed coin (in this case a 10 Euro cent coin from the Greek mint). Tradition would have it that the cake is divided into pieces with each piece going to a different person (e.g. God, daddy, etc.) or group of people (e.g. the poor, Scan Clan, etc.).

This year's vasilopita came fresh out of the oven as an experimental attempt at traditional baking, based on an internet recipe, though we secretly hope that our friends Stelio and Maria can give us a recipe for next year if they have one. Laurence did the research. Natalia gave the 'okay', did the shopping and preparation and Irini & Amalia helped out by decorating it after Laurence was done writing Kali Xronia (Happy New Year in Greek). That ensured that the entire family was directly involved in the creation of it, as well as the consumption of it (with the addition of the Colombian gang). A short explanation of the tradition to the Colombian members of the family, followed by a series of cuts by Laurence and Irini ended with the coin going to the Daza members of the extended Brownie (i.e. The Colombian) family!

Happy New Year! Feliz Año Nuevo! Kali Xronia!

May 2012 be filled with wonder, love and making the world a better place.