Malaysia update!

ell, unfortunately, the gentleman that had invited us to lunch had to cancel - at his age, his health is frail and he wasn't feeling good. So, we got to eat the Apple pie that Allya's mother had prepared for him, and it was amazingly good. We are going to send him a gift for a quick healing.

In the meantime, I got to visit the school in which Allya and her brother went to school. It is a catholic private school and we visited with one of her old teachers. He is from Ireland and has been in Malaysia since 1951. He and I spoke on politics and life in general, but overall had a great conversation on many things.

Allya's mother is feverishly working on the gathering we are to have. Apparently, traditional malay weddings call for anyone and everyone to come - on the scale of 3-500 people. However, ours is going to be very small.. ONLY 167. Of the people coming, family and friends. This plans to be a cultural ceremony, encompassing the traditional malay dress - you can research that on google or wait for my pictures. To my astonishment, the outfit that I will be wearing is going to cost over 12,000 ringgit, with about 1 dollar to 3 ringgit, it's over $3,000 worth. I am humbled by the fact that they are providing this for me, and don't know how to conduct myself, but as such - I think my natural response of humbleness is the right one.

Today, I got to meet my father-in-law. His family, or rather my family, is very loving, open, and embracing of me. We were treated to a tremendous feast of various local fruits, all of which I tried to my liking, and an assortment of fish - apparently mackeral - and 100 year old egg, and a delecacy of jellyfish. I stayed away from the latter two, but was open to try it... I just waited too long to try it and it was gone by the time I was ready to eat it. Pearl took her first real crawling 'steps' at this time while we were there, and since then - she has been crawling like a real baby, as opposed to her soldier crawl as she's been doing. I give her another month or so before walking...

More and more family is arriving by the day. They are some of the warmest people I've ever met and they embrace the fact that I open and interested by the culture, religion, and respect their views - and as such - they respect mine.

I realize that I write more about the people than anything else. I am really taken back by them. Not just the family, but everyone in general. This culture is much different than the states, but in every way a good different. The family is placed in the highest regard, along with the community. Respect for the elders is very much prevalent, as is seen with the simple greetings with the oldest first.

Overall, the weather is no different than Miami during the summer - It's hot, humid, and rains nearly every afternoon/evening. The food is a cultural blend of Chinese, Indian, and Malay traditional foods (Durien). So, with that - my hopes of losing weight on this trip because I don't eat sea food have been squashed... The food here is amazing, and the new foods I am trying are very tasty - seadop, as is the malay word for delicious.

I hope to speak to everyone for the new year, tomorrow - and will try and call. Phone calls are very cheap here. We spent 12 minutes on the phone with my mother and it cost us just over 2 ringgit. Or, about 5-10 cents a minute. The only problem is the time zone thing, as it is anywhere from 9-12 hours difference. When I wake up, you are going to bed... and when I go to bed, you all are waking up!!

Monday's Events!

Hi all,

So, today I met the old chief minister of the state of Sarawak, who was also good friends of the first prime minister of Malaysia, before his passing. Well, I was thoroughly amazed when he invited myself and the family for lunch tomorrow at his home - Luckily, I had read my history on the area and country, so we have alot to talk about. Moreover, he is very intrigued about my background as well. As the highest dignitary in this state, I am both humbled and apprehensive about this. I feel almost as a dignitary myself, representing my culture, religion, and people of the states - With them not having much interaction with the people there (in the states I mean). So, this will truly be an experience to remember, but I am worried about faux paux's that I might get into. but nonetheless, I thought you'd like to hear about this.

Love,

Jeremy

We have arrived in Kuching!

We have arrived in Kuching safely. We spent about 8 hours in Kuala Lumpur, and Allya's friends took us around Petra Jaya - which is the Malaysian equivalant to Washington DC. I really can't describe in words how beautiful it was. I was amazed at the structures, and the beauty. As for safety, I feel safer here than I have in anywhere in Europe or anywhere else for that matter. Maybe because the government controls so much, that people know not to do anything stupid, but it does feel safer. Here in Kuching, from what I saw at 1am with the drive in, reminds me more of a third world country, but I will comment more when the light comes. Overall, it is really amazing, the hospitality, the people, the overall feel here. It is what I was looking for - a place that is a different culture than what is the norm for the western civilization. The best part is, I am living as a local does. Granted, not quite a commoner, but still - as a local. Pearl is strangely okay with almost everyone here. I attribute it to the fact that she is so close with Allya, and with everyone else being MAlaysian, as is Allya, she immediately associates everyone with mom. But, she doesn't like cats like she does dogs... The cat already scratched her... And people wonder why I don't like cats.

Anyway, off to bed - It's 2am on Monday here - I think...

With love,

The Kahn Family

Arrest her for being too cute

Headband for sale

My friend Kelly is selling these headbands. I had to take these pictures to prove how cute she looks in them. Wow... what kind of mom am I turning into...

She has her moments.. this, I think is her off day.

I love her in this flower piece. If I had a choice, I'd call her Daisy. But I can hear Jeremy, "Nope, that is a porn star name". I had to twist his arm for Pearl's name. Hah! Imagine me twisting his arm. Just in case anyone wants to call domestic violence on me, I was just kidding on that part.

Awwww.... this is far the cutest and my favorite picture of the day. Love you twosss...

Weekend at Meemee's

Flew to Florida to visit Meemee. Mom and Deneal were there too. So it was a treat for all of us. The 5 hours flight was great. Took the red eye, so Pearl was asleep during take off and landing. But I managed to take a few catnaps int he plane.

I don't have any pictures on the first day of the trip. We had brunch with mom and Deneal, and Meemee joined us later on to bring Pearl's applesauce. This weekend Pearl was on the store baby food, she was okay with it. Later that night, everyone had dinner with Jack. It's always good to see him again.


Second day. we took a walk by the lake from Meemee's to the clubhouse for brunch.


Pearl and I like the man-made waterfalls


Along the way we saw a couple of geckos hanging out by the bank


Believe it or not, behind the building behind us, is the Atlantic Ocean


I got tired carrying her. The sling makes it easier for me


Daddy took Pearl away, so that I can have my meal


My girls (mom, Pearl and Meemee)


Pearl and I, with Meemee and the handsome 'man of the year' Jack


Daddy and Pearl. On our way back to Meemee's


Before that, we have to check out her pool. I brought her bathing suit, but neither Jeremy nor I bring ours.


Girls night out! Not. Daddy was chaperoning us to the temple. Yom kippur night.


While mommy was with mom, Deneal and Meemee enjoying the service, Pearl and daddy went venturing out.


J.R. decided to see what Pearl was doing. She was not liking it. She prefer going around solo.


Crawling to daddy.


Daddy re-arranged all the benches for Pearl to crawl around. I crept behind her to see what they were all up to.


In the morning, we were lounging around. Pearl had to release some energy out of her by crawling.


She loves her Grandma Beebee


View from the apartment

Jeremy talks about big bird whenever we talk about Meemee's home in Florida. Now Pearl is big bird's friend


Meemee was looking for her camera when this shot was taken



There she is. Everyone is present. As you can see Pearl is not interested in her thumb. Caught daddy by surprise too

We had a great time with Meemee. Going to miss Florida, but there will be next time.

The flight back was great. Baby slept with daddy this time.

Pearl's 1st close encounter with farm animals

We were invited to a hush hush surprise party at the Church's (Melissa's birthday) and Keith had a petting zoo set up in his front yard. Needless to say, I am fine with the animals, but I wouldn't let Pearl touch them with her thumb sucking finger. So she just watch them at a safe distant.


I don't think she understand why we are doing this to her.


I think she is more interested in the alpaca.


But daddy is insisting her to check out the goat.


The alpaca's hairdo. At first I thought it was an llama.


I had to check out this sweet looking goat. It had a safari outfit and a hat!


I manage to pet this chicken, after giving it some love, this chick can't get away from me. Always wants to be in the middle/next to us. If I recall, her name is Treasure.


The biggest birthday cake I have ever seen. Trust me, I avoided the blue and purple icing.


Pearl tried out Cairn's ride.


Pearl has one too!


Must be supervise though. She can't go too far.


Again with the cutesy pose with the headbands and the tutu.




Had to pry the thumb off her


My friend Nana sent two sets of baju kurung (Malay traditional clothes) for Pearl. She'll eventually grow into them next year. Thanks Na!


Looks a lot better after folding the sleeves in.

Pearl's Great Grandmother's 85th Birthday

Party ON!

Wow! I totally forgot to post this on for the longest time. SORRY! Let me sip my cup of coffee and I'll try to get back to this routine.

We recently had a somewhat mini semi-family reunion at Nan's for her birthday. Her nieces came down from NY to see her and her nephew with his son came down from LA. So it was a very emotional day for her.

Overall, it was one of her happiest day. We bet there will be more to come.


Nan giving a speech next to her edible bouquet. Delish~~

Pearl watch attentively. NOT! It's just another happy shot of her =)


Daddy taking random pictures of her, while she stand next to mommy (me). Good shot of my ear daddy.

Nan and Grandpa Rob


Pearl with Uncle Craig (actually they are cousins, but Uncle sounds a lot better)


Nan's 2nd generations


Nan's 3rd generations + 4th generation (Pearl)


Nan's family friends

Just another day in Baby Paradise

I decided to play a little dress up with Pearl. This girl loves the camera, loves the attention. I managed to get some sweet pictures from this little munchkin.


I don't know if she was aware with the sheepy back there.

This is her punk rocker pose...

I absolutely love her yummy cheeks!

I love her head gear and tutu. Am I too much?

She was actually aiming towards the camera

I love her smile. Just wait till she finally have some pearly whites