KL Return.

When we left KL what seems ages ago it was much harder for some (Amalia) than for others. It was deemed appropriate at the time that we allow time for ourselves to get used to Dubai and allow for our friends and family in KL to move forward with their lives before reconnecting so as to avoid too much emotional anguish for the little ones, especially with regard to the family, the school and Ida (our previous nanny). 

And so, with one and a half year under our belt in our new location we thought it was appropriate to return to where so many of our lives stories have been based, where 14 years (for the adults) and a lifetime has molded and has been molded by the constant interactions of growing, learning, living in a space we used to call home. The girls were thrilled to be headed back and couldn't wait to get on the plane to take them "home" again.  For the adults too it was exciting, but brought with it the trepidation of having to come to grips with a previous chapter of our professional and social life. What would it be like?  

Daddy was struck, almost immediately, by how small everything felt. Obviously life in Dubai had already taking its toll on his mindset. The airpot seemed small. The highways seemed small. The taxis seemed small. There was a closeness to KL that isn't present in Dubai's spacious development. But once we got to the cousins and tia's place it was like life had been restored. The children were so happy to be back and so comfortable in the apartment we had spent so much time in while we lived there. It was as if equilibrium had been restored for them. They took a good amount of time reconnecting with old friends, playing and having sleep overs. It was beautiful to watch how naturally that flowed. 

For mommy and daddy too it was "the right thing" to return to KL as a form of closure for all the time that we spent there. They spent hours just roaming through the two ISKL campuses talking to the secretaries, the guards, the cleaning staff. They spent even more time reconnecting with their friends and colleagues socially. A visit to the girls campus at Melawati, was a particularly warm one, with the girls being able to find their old teachers, if only to share a hug and see how life continues. Amalia made her way to the library where she finally settled to read as many books as she could. Irini found her friends - now all in 4th grade, of course - and shared lunch and recess with them. 

And, of course, there were the many hours with cousins and tia, around whom much of our early formative years have revolved. Time with them, as always, was cherished and celebrated. 

As we got back on the plane for the return home mommy and daddy had a good sense of calm, or closure in some ways. One cannot know what paths life will take, but certainly this place has a special place in our heart. Do we miss it?  Absolutely. But we are also happy and comfortable with our lives presently, and know that all four of us have adjusted well to our new circumstances and grown in wonderful ways. So long Malaysia. We love you!