Week 16

That is hard to believe. We've been here for 16 weeks and it still feels like we are just beginning to settle in. As we listen to report of snow and the onset of winter back home it seems even more strange. The weather is the same now as it was when we arrived. 32 degrees and humid. On the way up the elevator today, a little girl and her dad got on with us. The girl was in a school uniform and we started talking to her about school. Her dad said that at the end of this week, a seven week holiday would start. Maureen asked if it was their summer holiday. They kind of gave us a funny look and said, "No it is just holidays." I guess it is always summer here. Sunrise and sunset has also been consistent. The sun has risen at 7:00 am and sets about 7:00 pm everyday.

Well, for those of you following the blog you'll be happy to know that no shame was brought to the Bukit Utama Line Dancing Club on account of Maureen. She enjoyed herself last week but has decided that 3 days per week are a little too much of line dancing even for her. She will back off to one apparently. I've included a picture of some members of the club and one of the whole group preparing to strut their stuff.


On Wednesday (Tuesday back in NA remember) we were invited to one of the American teachers condos for an election party. There are a number of Americans at the school and they were ecstatic with Obama's win. I think we were invited to accept an apology on behalf of the group, who had for the last 8 years been claiming to be Canadians when traveling around, as they were embarrassed about their leadership and foreign policies. Here is a photo of them smiling and flashing the V sign.

Last week was an awful week at school. On Tuesday, one of Maureen's Grade 2 PE students, asked to go see the school nurse part way the morning. She was complaining of being dizzy and nauseous. The nurse called her mom to come and get her. Her condition rapidly got worse and by the time the mom arrived the nurses had already made arrangements for her to be transported to a doctor's office about a 1/2 block away. They immediately called for an ambulance and rushed her to the hospital. She was put on life support right away but did not make it. The whole school is still reeling from the shock and speed of her death. Tomorrow evening her memorial service will be held at the school.
The school really is a center in the lives of the students and parents whose children attend there. Yesterday(Sunday) I was at school doing some work and about 30 families(all Swedes, if I can judge by the blond hair) showed up to play game on the sports field. It was neat watching the families all have fun together. The school is the expat families focal point. Hence the reason for the memorial service at the school.

Friday night about 50 of us hopped on a bus and rode to the Heineken brewery for a tour. One of the parents from the school is the master brewer and he invited us for a tour. It was rather interesting. We got to see the production end of things which was rather fascinating considering the volume they put through. 70000 cans and 50000 bottles and a bunch of kegs every hour. What most enjoyed, of course, was the opportunity to sample their products in pub that they have. They also fed us and gave us a goodie bag at the end of the night. I've included a photo of some of the revellers.

The rest of the weekend was pretty quiet. We did manage a bike ride ourselves out to the rubber plantation. It is actually quite close to us and provides a bit of a respite from the city. I've included a photo of the planation itself and one of a tree being tapped.