In to the wild (kinda, sorta).

 

When we moved to Dubai one of the "recurring themes" about our new home was the lack of access to wild spaces. Of course, our definition of 'wild' has changed as we have been in the desert for a good portion of our lives now. But it's always a welcomed opportunity when nature - of the green variety - becomes available. The girls (all of them) seem to recharge in that environment and the smiles become much larger than normal, even if the humid stickiness is part of the experience too. 

So, of course, a visit to KL wouldn't be complete without a short jaunt (at least) to the forests that surround it. The girls grew up in this environment and the sticky air, the welcoming leeches, puddles of mud and big green leaves of tropical plants, are all part of the big wonder of the space!  

In this case, with our friend Leanne having made her way to KL from Singapore - bringing with her stories, memories, friendship and lots of love - they embarked on a short day trip "behind the zoo". This was one of many places we had access to when the girls were little, but now they could see it through different eyes. The eyes of young adults looking onto spaces of natural things. The eyes of students recognizing the differences in the world. Eyes of wonder and awe. By all accounts it was beautiful. The sky was clear blue, the day welcoming and the friends a deep shade of awesome. Plus, they were joined by a number of local dogs who decided that a walk was just what they needed. 

Cheers to friends near and far and places green and beautiful. Cheers to the love of family and to the sense of belonging in natural spaces. Cheers to us all. 

Return to KL: Some Old, Some New.

It was years in the planning and, originally, going to be a surprise for the cousins. But as luck would have it (and as we tend to do) surprises are not our forte. Well, at least not completely. By the time the girls got on the plane to Singapore and onward to KL the cat was out of the bag, as they say, at least regarding Avi. She had found out through some random WhatsApp message intended for someone else. Perhaps a sideways glance?  Perhaps someone asking someone else to check something?  One might never know.  But, by the time the got there, right there into the house, at least TTmouz was sleeping away, oblivious to the arrival of said cousins and aunt who, of course, and in true Mediterranean-Latin American fashion, literally jumped right into bed with him to giggle and wake him from his long slumber. 

It seemed, however, that following that arrival, the slumber was over. It was a week of fun and reminiscing. A week of seeing where the family lives now (since we left before they moved only daddy, who was there a few years ago, knew the place). It was also a chance to see the new campus of ISKL. Many memories were shared, no doubt, perhaps most often revolving around food related items (in fact the very first stop off the plane was to get smoothies at Boost, their favorite smoothy place in the whole wide world! 

Within a week they managed to make their way to the new campus, to visit with old friends (for as long as several hours over coffee and and short as a quick hug in passing), to visit old hang outs (can anyone say "Suzi's"?) and reconnect. To mix old spaces and faces with new stories and sharing. The creation of new stories, connections, experiences, are, of course, an essential part to becoming part of a community and communities are hard to maintain at a distance. But for this particular week it was connections filled with love and smiles and kindness of the type that fills the proverbial cup. And fill that cup they did. 

They returned home, and to a waiting daddy, with broad smiles and dreams of one day going back, yet again, to re-connect. It's been five years since we've been there, and yet, as with old friends, if feels like an eternity when you're gone, but only a moment when you're there. So long KL. Thankfully the aunts and the cousins are still going strong and, who knows, perhaps more reunions are in store, hopefully in the not too distant future. Love all around! To places and to people who make our journey so much more meaningful!