What a better time to enjoy this new 'blog land' than on a trip to Penang, Malaysia?!

As many of you know, we have been praying for, and looking forward to this trip for a long time.  More than a vacation, this is a fullfillment of a goal that we have set forth as a homeschool family--to travel.  We would feel that we had not fully educated our daughters without exposing them to 'the rest of this world'.  Believe me--this side of the world is an eye opening experience!  It has been such a very long time that I have smelled the smells, and seen the sights of a totally different land.  It is so reminiscient of my own experiences as a youth...but I think I am less tolerant to adventure now.  It makes me kind of sad that I've become so set in my ways as I've grown older.

 I hope you enjoy our travels.  I honestly intend to share *my* heart, and our experiences, and will, of course, speak honestly, as I always do! 

We left Monday, after carefully cleaning the entire house.  We had left Amy the Dog at Grandma and Grandpa's the night before, and the house felt so empty without her...and her accompanying shedding fur. We've since learned that Mom and Dad were the 'perfect' people for our beloved pet all along, and that dog is having the time of her life!  We really appreciated all the snow outside, too.  It made it easier to leave for someplace warm!

We arrived at the airport, and had ticket problems!  It was worked out, but nerve wracking for awhile. Then our flight was cancelled due to mechanical problems...and were put on standby.  We did make it on this first leg of our trip...but many people did not!  This was the first time I'd flown since 9/11.  (yes, I know, I don't get out much! lol)

We arrived in LAX just in time to catch our international flight to Singapore. Unlike the plane we had just disimbarked from, this one was NICE.  We sat in comfortable chairs, with enough room, and watched movies for...18 hours!  The girls were quickly un-enamoured with flying, but did well.  We highly recommend 'Singapore Air'.

We arrived in Singapore early Wednesday morning.  We had *several* cups of coffee, and took pictures of the large Koi pond, and a huge garden of Orchids.  I have a hankering to grow some now.  We were exhausted, and all kept bickering about everything.  Geesh.  At one point, I got lost looking for a bathroom--mostly because I was too tired to figure out that I had switched directions!  It was in the airport that I began to feel very 'American'.

Our flight to Penang was uneventful.  Except the food.  An Asian burrito.  I gave E. a very hard time about 'there's still Mexican food in Asia', a long standing joke about his dislike of Mexican food!

We arrived at the airport, went through customs.  Eldest daughter decided that she had to go to the restroom in the middle of it all--as in, just walked off.  We were NOT happy.(and also continued to be very tired!)  Squatty potties are very interesting!  Most bathrooms here have one of each.

We quickly learned that none of our luggage had made it...and I started to cry...mostly 'cause I'm a big baby when it comes to clean clothes and a shower.  God totally came through though...we walked out of the airport doors, and there stood E's Malay boss.  He went with E to talk to the proper authorities, stuck us in a taxi, and told us where to go to buy a few essentials.  We had a nice lunch, and bought some Asian swimsuits, undies, and E a shirt and pants.  The girls LOVE their new swimsuits...me? not so much. lol

We finally got our luggage late last night--it was held up in customs, in the STATES.  Wierd.  The girls had so much faith through all this.  It was great to see!  Me?  Not so much faith.  I just wanted my stuff!  *sigh*.   Last night, we ordered room service, and all fell asleep before it arrived.  The wait person banged on the door, and I, half asleep, opened it, and asked him to put the food straight into the fridge.  It all just looked too overwhelming to eat.  We were hungry, but the Jet Lag won!

Today, E went to work, and the girls and I have spent a lot of time in the pool.  Tommorow, we'll be changing hotels.  Our hotel is very nice, but just not quite right for our family.  We'll be switching to a hotel in town, but that will have access to the beach, too. 

Thanks for listening so far!

Hopefully, I'll be able to share more of my thoughts tommorow--I have so much to write about!  I have to at least give the girls a math lesson today.  Those math skills just seem to slip, so quickly!