Malaysia Update December 2009

Ok, so for those of you who don't follow Facebook, but follow the blog (are there such people?), we have decided to stay a 3rd year in KL. One of the main reasons was that we both have good jobs here, but nothing to go back to in Canada. With the economy in the shape it's in, we were a little worried about not getting jobs and being incomeless upon return. It's not all bad in KL...Steve likes his job, I might even say I love my job, Alyssa is enjoying her school and it's a good program, Hayden will be in KP next year (school 8:30 - 1:30 everyday) and travel from here to other Asian countries and Australia is easy and cheap. So, what does this all mean??? Well, you still have another 18 months to come visit! We will be home (Camrose and Roblin) for Christmas this year (and probably next unless we go to NZ) and we will also be home for about 6 weeks in summer. It's going to be a crazy 2 weeks til we fly home, so probably no more posts til January (but you never know!) Cheers! Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!!!!

Wedding Day Continued

The Chinese ceremony was just before dinner. They dressed up in these fancy clothes for the ceremony which was entirely in Chinese and we did not understand a word. It was pretty flashy...they even had a fire breather! Note Jeremy's cool hat in the photo...definately a future bribe photo.

Then, we ate a HUGE dinner ~ I think there were 22 different dishes including scrumptious spicy frog (whole frog cooked in a spicy broth), turtle (hidden neatly under the shell), snails and many other chinese delicacies. Since I am not so adventurous with food, I didn't try these ones, but did find a few things to eat ~ duck, chicken, pork and beef. With 22 dishes, it would have been difficult to find nothing. Hayden ate a lot, Alyssa ate nothing, opting to follow Jeremy and Carol around toasting everyone ~ she's the life of the party.

The next day we headed back to KL. It took all day. We flew Wuhan to Guangzhou, layover, then to KL. China was a lot more beautiful than I expected. We may even return sooner than later!

China Day 8 ~Wedding Day

The "bestmen" ~ Nathan, Steve, Tim and Gavin ~ left the hotel wedding day morning bright and early (8 a.m.). Alyssa was also included, but since she did not want to be a best man, Jeremy allowed her to be called the best flower girl. Hayden and I hung out at the hotel as we thought it might be a little much driving and standing around for him (turns out it wasn't, but oh well). First they decorated the cars then went to Carol's apartment. When they arrived at Carol's apartment, they set off fireworks to announce their arrival.The "bestmen"~ Nathan, Tim, Steve and Gavin left the hotel bright and early wedding morning.

Apparently shortly after that, Jeremy was mobbed for Angpows ~ red packets with money inside which are traditional at Chinese weddings.

After "beating off" the people trying to get the red packets, Jeremy made it to Carol's door, where he had to give more packets to get them to open it and allow him in. A few more games followed, but finally he made it to Carol's room.

His next job was an endurance test as he had to carry Carol (good thing she is tiny) down five flights of stairs to the car ~ the tradition is that the bride does not touch the ground until she arrives at her new husband's house (the hotel in this case).

The arrival at the hotel...I'm sure Alyssa was dying to get a picture with beautiful Carol. She play "Carol getting married" (shh I'm not supposed to tell) until the dinner that evening...trying on various "dresses" of Grandma Isy's.

Mom and Dad received Jeremy and Carol in their hotel room. I think they had given them tea, but I hadn't yet made it when this picture was taken. Look how fancy Jeremy looks! I don't think I've ever seen him in a suit.