Big things in my world.

Honestly, I'm feeling a little blog lazy this month. But since we moved to our new placement and I won't be back online til next month, I figured I should post a little somethin somethin.

So to make this funner (yes, Court, I just said funner) I'm just going to give you 3 big things in my world, right this very moment.

1. I'm sitting in a Coffee Bean in KK, the city, right now. This is the second day Court and I have planted here, for fresh brewed coffee and free wifi. We are in the city because of the Chinese New Year, which is as big as Christmas here, if not bigger. We came in for a mini holiday consisting of Chinese New Year dinners, ang pao (the red envelopes full of money), and cafes/restaurants with free wifi. We've been staying at the Sister's convent here in the city since Saturday, which is awesome and so comfortable. And we absolutely love the Sisters. We rolled into dinner last with our posse of 4 nuns. So fun. We go back to Pukak tomorrow morning.

2. Pukak is amazing. I might move there forever. Just kidding. But really, it's so good. First of all, the environment/weather is awesome. It's up in the hills by a river, so it's beautiful and COLD. Not just a little cool, but actually cold during the evening. To the point where I wake up with frozen toes. This might not seem so exciting to you folk with 4 seasons, but for Courtney and I, after living for 5 months in a tropical humid climate, this is good news indeed. The water is fresh from the hills, which is good news for me and my skin. No more chlorine water, which is what happens in the city.

Second of all, our work is so fun! We are teaching English classes at the local elementary school, traveling to a neighboring village to do some community outreach, and helping run a hostel full of 30 little nuggets (this includes sweeping, mopping, reading books, cooking lunch and dinner, sleeping over once a week for overnight duty). Our schedule is full of varied activities and so far, so good. I'm already in love with the kids. It's so fun to be back with kiddies.

Third of all, we live with a host family in their big country house with dogs, a cat, chickens, and two pet monkeys! This host family consists of Auntie Dorothy and Uncle Danny, a married couple with grown children who have all moved out. They were both teachers, but now they run a local general store where you can buy everything from shampoo to eggs to Qtips to beer. Oh yea, Dorothy also sells Herbalife. Oh and they have a rice paddy that they farm. And numerous other village and church duties. They're pretty much the busiest older couple that I know. One time I was lying in bed wiped out after my day of reading books to children and Dorothy walked by my window in rice paddy gear with 3 big bamboo poles on her shoulder (and imagine, she's literally half my size). They probably don't know what the word "tired" means. They're the most giving and kind people!! I love them so much already and am so grateful to be their adopted daughter for a little bit. It doesn't hurt that they gave Courtney and me our own rooms as well!

3. I'm thinking about staying a second year here in Malaysia. Not sure yet, but especially since I'm loving Pukak so much so far, the idea of staying there for the whole school year, which goes until November, is very appealing. And I don't think I'm done soaking in southeast Asia yet. I really do love living here - meeting people, learning the language, eating the food, exploring the joys and challenges of being a foreigner. But who knows, we shall see! I have to submit the application by Februrary 15.

That's all for now. Miss you all. Think about you all the time! Hope the new year is treating you very well. Gong Xi Fa Cai! :)