Well it is officially our last day here. We leave tomorrow morning at 4:30am to the airport, then its off for our grand adventure home. Donovan and I have been sick this past week, which has not been fun. But with a lot of rest and water, we are feeling much better then we were.
I cannot believe that we have been here for 2 months. It has both flown by/ and felt like a long time. We have had so much fun and we can't believe the blessing of being able to do this adventure. We thank Josh and Trudy Perkins for all they did to have us come here and take part of this journey with them. They are the sweetest family ever, and we will miss them all greatly. I hope the remainder of their time here goes smoothly and enjoyable for all of them.
I'm sure it will take time to adjust to getting back home. Not only will the time change be weird, but the weather, the driving, the people, stores, food etc, will all take some time to get used to again. I am excited to come home for the Holidays, as I miss my family so much!! But I know Donovan and I will always have piece of Malaysia here with us! It has been so fun experiencing so many new things with my hubby! God is so good, and He has taught Donovan and I so much being here. I know He had a plan in us coming here, and Im sure it will continue to have an affect on us, even after we nestle back into our routine.
Our next steps as a married couple will be getting an apartment, as the Perkins will be returning home in February. We have already been looking at some possible places! We start classes at PSU January 9th! Woot! Donovan is going for his Science degree, and I am still doing International Studies. We can't wait to see where God takes us next...we know He has some more crazy adventures planned for us!!
Sunday, 18 December 2011
Friday, 9 December 2011
Christmas Shopping!
So most of you have probably been heading to Washington Square, Target, Wal-Mart...etc for all of you Christmas finds! You probably stopped at Starbucks for a peppermint mocha and turned up Bing Cosby's famous Christmas album to get you in the mood to face the crazy Holiday shoppers. You most likely slipped on your fuzzy boots, jackets maybe a hat or scarf or some mittens (for all my East Coasters friends who need snow stuff!) and got ready to do some serious Christmas gift hunting!
Well...Christmas shopping in Penang, Malaysia is a bit different. Donovan and I headed out this past week to get our gifts for my family and it was indeed different Christmas shopping then I've ever done. First of all, our attire was typical for the local resident of Penang, some shorts, tank-top and of course flip-flops. Next we got in the car and searched for any local radio station in English, Christmas music is out of the question here but we found one station in perfect English! So Lady Gaga filled our speakers as we drove along the curvy roads to Batu Ferringhi! Starbucks here is of course not only rare, but expensive and at 88 degrees, hot coffee doesn't sound to appealing. So we stopped for some local Indian cuisine, and some fresh squeezed carrot juice! yummmy!!!
Then came the actual shopping. Rows and rows of tents fill the streets as vendors try to sell you anything from knockoff Prada bags, to local Malaysian hand-crafts. You got to barter for the best price of course! And I must say, Donovan was extremely good at it, for being a first time world traveler! We got deals beyond deals, and had an awesome time! It was fun just laughing with my husband as we perused the goods. The locals were all excited to sell their stuff to some eager Americans! Yet, apparently everyone thought we were from Australia instead of the US. Hmmm....thats was odd!
Donovan and I then stopped for a little break and decided to try out the famous Fish Spa of Malaysia. Oh my goodness gracious!!! We will never forget that! The "Fish Spa" was definitely not a spa in my opinion. What it is is the customer sticks their feet in a inside fish pond and then allow hundreds of fish to EAT at your feet. These little sucker fish nibble at the callouses and dead skin on your feet. I lasted 20 seconds before I gagged and squealed. It was way to weird having these fish swarm at my feet, fighting each other to eat me. Yuck!!! But of course, my husband loved it, and kept insisting I try it again. I let him enjoy that one! I'll take a regular foot scrub any day rather then letting some squirmy fish eat my feet! But Im glad he enjoyed it!
Well friends, Donovan and I are 11 days away from being home. We are getting really excited to see my family and our friends! Hope the Holiday Season is treating you all well!
Well...Christmas shopping in Penang, Malaysia is a bit different. Donovan and I headed out this past week to get our gifts for my family and it was indeed different Christmas shopping then I've ever done. First of all, our attire was typical for the local resident of Penang, some shorts, tank-top and of course flip-flops. Next we got in the car and searched for any local radio station in English, Christmas music is out of the question here but we found one station in perfect English! So Lady Gaga filled our speakers as we drove along the curvy roads to Batu Ferringhi! Starbucks here is of course not only rare, but expensive and at 88 degrees, hot coffee doesn't sound to appealing. So we stopped for some local Indian cuisine, and some fresh squeezed carrot juice! yummmy!!!
Then came the actual shopping. Rows and rows of tents fill the streets as vendors try to sell you anything from knockoff Prada bags, to local Malaysian hand-crafts. You got to barter for the best price of course! And I must say, Donovan was extremely good at it, for being a first time world traveler! We got deals beyond deals, and had an awesome time! It was fun just laughing with my husband as we perused the goods. The locals were all excited to sell their stuff to some eager Americans! Yet, apparently everyone thought we were from Australia instead of the US. Hmmm....thats was odd!
Donovan and I then stopped for a little break and decided to try out the famous Fish Spa of Malaysia. Oh my goodness gracious!!! We will never forget that! The "Fish Spa" was definitely not a spa in my opinion. What it is is the customer sticks their feet in a inside fish pond and then allow hundreds of fish to EAT at your feet. These little sucker fish nibble at the callouses and dead skin on your feet. I lasted 20 seconds before I gagged and squealed. It was way to weird having these fish swarm at my feet, fighting each other to eat me. Yuck!!! But of course, my husband loved it, and kept insisting I try it again. I let him enjoy that one! I'll take a regular foot scrub any day rather then letting some squirmy fish eat my feet! But Im glad he enjoyed it!
Well friends, Donovan and I are 11 days away from being home. We are getting really excited to see my family and our friends! Hope the Holiday Season is treating you all well!
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
To My Mother
Today is my wonderful mothers birthday. I decided I wanted to write a blog post just about her, because honestly she is truly the most wonderful woman I know I will ever have the pleasure of knowing.
My mother possess qualities that many women admire but few actually have. She has a strength in her that goes beyond all reason. I have seen her pull through the toughest of problems, crises, pains and hardships without ever once doubting God's plan for her life. She is loving to anyone and everyone who steps into our door. She never complains about the extra meals to provide for unexpected guests, never turns anyone away that needs to just cry and talk. She never hesitates to help her daughters stay up all night studying for tests, or finishing papers and projects. A warm hug is always given when her daughters have broken hearts or broken dreams. Her wisdom is outstanding. I've seen strangers stop her and ask for something and the next thing I know they are telling her their life story because she cares and offers advice. She is constantly coaching and helping people all around her, whether it's at a retreat or at home, women flock to talk with my mom and pray with her. She always knows the right thing to say and pray for because she is always in The Word, and she is sensitive to the Holy Spirit. She is supportive, she always gives encouragement to anything I want to try or do, and is always there when I succeed or fail. She is one of the strongest Christians I know, her faith is her own and she truly lives out her belief in the one and only God every day.
I am who I am today because of my mother. She impacts people in a way that drives them to want to be a better them. She never accepts a lower standard and expects others to do the same. She doesn't believe in shortcuts or easy-outs, but rather taught me to always work my hardest and my best no matter what.
Many people aspire to be like someone else. I truly aspire to be like my mom. I know God created her not just for her family's benefit but for all who come into contact with her. I know many people say "I have the best mother" but I know I really do. If I can someday grow up to have the patience my mom has, or the wisdom. If I could have her generosity or compassion. If I could grasp her peace with the world and her genuine relationship with God. If I could have at least one of her qualities, I know I'd be a better person.
I thank God for giving me such a wonderful mother. And as I've grown older I have realized my mother has become my best friend. She knows my secrets and my fears, never judges me but pushes me to be better. I feel honored and privileged to call her my mom. I am grateful she was born, and I know she has a legacy of greatness, and that people will always remember her. She is beautiful inside and out!
So Happy Birthday to My Mother, A women who is truly a gift.
-Boo
My mother possess qualities that many women admire but few actually have. She has a strength in her that goes beyond all reason. I have seen her pull through the toughest of problems, crises, pains and hardships without ever once doubting God's plan for her life. She is loving to anyone and everyone who steps into our door. She never complains about the extra meals to provide for unexpected guests, never turns anyone away that needs to just cry and talk. She never hesitates to help her daughters stay up all night studying for tests, or finishing papers and projects. A warm hug is always given when her daughters have broken hearts or broken dreams. Her wisdom is outstanding. I've seen strangers stop her and ask for something and the next thing I know they are telling her their life story because she cares and offers advice. She is constantly coaching and helping people all around her, whether it's at a retreat or at home, women flock to talk with my mom and pray with her. She always knows the right thing to say and pray for because she is always in The Word, and she is sensitive to the Holy Spirit. She is supportive, she always gives encouragement to anything I want to try or do, and is always there when I succeed or fail. She is one of the strongest Christians I know, her faith is her own and she truly lives out her belief in the one and only God every day.
I am who I am today because of my mother. She impacts people in a way that drives them to want to be a better them. She never accepts a lower standard and expects others to do the same. She doesn't believe in shortcuts or easy-outs, but rather taught me to always work my hardest and my best no matter what.
Many people aspire to be like someone else. I truly aspire to be like my mom. I know God created her not just for her family's benefit but for all who come into contact with her. I know many people say "I have the best mother" but I know I really do. If I can someday grow up to have the patience my mom has, or the wisdom. If I could have her generosity or compassion. If I could grasp her peace with the world and her genuine relationship with God. If I could have at least one of her qualities, I know I'd be a better person.
I thank God for giving me such a wonderful mother. And as I've grown older I have realized my mother has become my best friend. She knows my secrets and my fears, never judges me but pushes me to be better. I feel honored and privileged to call her my mom. I am grateful she was born, and I know she has a legacy of greatness, and that people will always remember her. She is beautiful inside and out!
So Happy Birthday to My Mother, A women who is truly a gift.
-Boo
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