3 days left to 2010...

Actually 2 only.....i'm a little disoriented with the time difference here in Malaysia - still going by my laptop time here when i blog.

Had the pool to myself this morning most of the time until the tail end of my swim.  The water felt nice and fresh at 9a.  Hung out with niece the rest of the day and we took off to the club again.  They swam and i went to the steam room - it was super crowded at the pool around 5pm.

Counted about a dozen mosquito bites from the youth retreat yesterday.  Mt.Singhai was a steep climb up - good trails mostly covered by the dense forest.  I was drenched with sweat from the humidity.  It felt great - would have gone on but the rest of the way to the top was unmarked & treacherous and didn't have proper shoes.  We barely felt the rain on the descent when the storm moved in.  It was wild and beautiful.

The guys at the lodge had it right - beer with crab cookout.  Not sure about the Karaoke though....  I tried a taste but retire early.  Not much sleep with 8 teenagers in the next room.  Legs felt pretty sore from the dash up the mountain - but the swim helped stretched body out next day.

Before we left - screams from the room indicated an unwelcome guest.  I voted to not kill it - but poor spider, i was the only one who rose to defend it but a little too squeamish to put it outside.  Sorry spider.

Rain swim

The monsoon rains here kept the temperature fairly cool to swim.  Though the humidity is a little challenging, i felt good for the first time swimming in Malaysia.

The lite drizzling was welcoming - felt the droplets on my face.  I couldn't remember the last time i swam outside in the rain.... Sat in the steam room for 10 minutes - felt great -  i think the massage this morning helped ease the tightness from my back.

Eventually i need to face the run.  They said it would take a few years but i'm already feeling the itch to start.  The swims have been slow progress and i need to push through each morning...

Tomorrow - have been asked to speak at a youth camp - hope i survive!  The plan is to hike up mount sinai with these teenagers - that would be a good test of stamina.  Read and bed early this evening and maybe an early swim before the drive up to Deer Farm with these group of energizer bunnies.

3 countries in 7 weeks

Singapore.......Malaysia.........Thailand

Some random thoughts:

Being asked to emcee a wedding coming up right after the Thailand conference.  That should be fun.  350 guests..... oh dear.

And speaking at a youth leader's retreat........  That would be interesting - if i survive to tell about it....

Gotta get prepped for the conference the next couple of days.

Date with God tonight

Time to read and journal this evening.  Christmas day is almost over here in Malaysia but only just beginning in Canada.  It was fun to skype everyone Christmas eve (over in Ontario) this Christmas morning here.  Timing's everything...

Grabbed some shots - love the tropical plants here.

Different Christmas

Went to church this morning - rainy Christmas.  Didn't mind it as the downpour came and went.  Decided to head to the pool with my niece.  Surprised to see a couple of other people at the club.  Drizzled as we swam - out of breath in a couple of laps.  The weather's nice but the humidity makes it hard to exercise.

Simple celebration with sister's family.  Definitely memorable..... satay for dinner amongst other local cuisines.  Being away from Vancouver definitely makes this holiday different.  Nice to not have to be involved in lots of activities but also missing home a little.

Gave me a chance to learn how to blog and upload some pictures.  A bit more time to think and reflect.

Christmas Cantata

It's all about love....that was the theme at tonight's church service in Kuching.  Hope, love, joy - hmmmm... Happy Birthday, Jesus.

Sleeping baby - cute...... :)

Went to Sarawak club for a swim - there were only a couple of people there.  Christmas Eve - Ran into an old friend at the club.  Nice to catch up.  It rained when we went to the mall to pick up a pair of flippers.  When it rains here - it pours....torrential downpour - like the storms here.

Green Christmas

Got into Kuching yesterday - relatively smooth going thru customs.  Just as we land, the annoucement on the penalty of drug trafficking i paused - Other than a passing thought on whether i should have locked my check-in luggage.

Kuching - Cat city - I'm here - the weather's great - not as sticky as i remembered - and definitely bearable.  Sister picked me up and had a good afternoon of catch-up over lunch and a pedicure.  As we drove home, it rained....more like poured.  Gotta love the monsoon rain.  Definitely the best time to come.  Everything felt fresh.

Going to pick-up some trainers and head off to Sarawak club.  Found out my brother in law designed the pool there - look forward to the swim and heading to the Christmas Cantata this evening.  Fun - let the celebration begin.

Reflecting on the birth of Jesus - the best gift of all.  Giving of gifts to each other an expression of love - funny creatures that we are.  Reflecting on the reason for the season - remembering the beginning of faith....