Leaving day!

We are SO PROUD of the girls this past year. They turned in to GREAT travellers. We really pulled together as a team, and were able to withstand most 'crises' with style. Admittedly, occasionally, we all decended in to our family's version of insane behaviour...but...what happens in Malaysia should STAY in Malaysia, right? (and we won't ever discuss singing father abraham at the top of our lungs at a cement wall, RIGHT, girls? lol) Here is a picture of the last leg of our journey. We were bumped up to first class...and LOVED it! What a huge blessing! We were the last flight to leave Taiwan before a typhoon, and the dog came too. God had our backs...and our fronts and sides...He gave his angels charge over us, and it was SO abundantly clear to us.

We took this picture looking out at the tarmack. Have I mentioned how unusual it is for people to bring their dogs back home with them? The workers here are telling us, via hand motions, that Nasir was o.k. Every airport, he gathered a crowd. We had put our family's picture on top, so people recognized us, then too! This really HELPED to get him home, and helped people not to be afraid of Nasir in a dog-phobic culture.

The girls spent most of the day before we left decorating Nasir's kennel...so he was not accidently mistaken for anything other than a LIVE ANIMAL.

Nasir would NOT make use of the 'facilities' at the KL airport. He's strictly a 'grass and bushes' kind of dog. lol

This is a picture of our check on luggage, including Nasir's kennel, and not including little Sis!

Leaving day came quickly. We were all extremely tired, stressed, and not knowing if the Malaysian dog would make it home. After picking up our 'large vehicle' which ended up just being a small vehicle with a bigger motor, we all crammed in, along with Nasir, and drove 3 hours to Kuala Lumpur. We had decided to fly from KL in hopes that it would be easier to fight local beauracracy and anti dog sentiment by leaving from the larger KL airport.

We arrived on time...and got ready to board Nasir, with the whole airport looking. The Airlines came running up to us, and explained that Taiwan would not let Nasir fly through there. The girls and I went and sat down and prayed up a storm...and cried just a little bit!! Eventually, the problem was worked out, and Nasir was taken away to be boarded. All we could do was hope for the best. It was at this point that we realized the dog would be in a box for 30 hours!

More 'coming home'.

Here's a last minute shopping trip to 'Sam's Batik'. The girls and I stood outside and 'people watched' (both live, and fake...) while Eric bartered inside.

We had our last pedicures, which we then promptly ruined at hotel Equatorial's pool.

We went with another family to Butterfly Farm--a hot place with lots to see!

After the packers came, we had a few days of 'just fun'. Here is one of our last Malaysian meals at 'Nandos'.

Before we move too far beyond it...our coming home pictures.

Every item was weighed and reweighed, documented, and photographed. We knew we had to be exactly a certain weight, and could not go over. We found the 'rules' changed when we were trying to get home...versus being sent over! lol. We played the game quite well, though. Again--we were so glad to have such good men helping us pack.

This was the girls' and Nasir's contribution to packing.

We were so nervous for packing day to come! Packing in the states had been....interesting...but at that point, we still believed that Agilent would 'cover us' in the case of problems. We had no such security on the way home! Turns out, the Repatriate packing was MUCH smoother. Those guys worked SO hard, and were very eager to please. I wish someone had asked us for feedback!

We were very relieved to return home. After so many adventures in Malaysia, it was like breathing for the 1st time in a long time!

We beat a Typhoon, an Agilent travel freeze, and an earthquake...and we made it home WITH the dog!

We travelled in 1st Class for the first time (as requested by Agilent!) and Nasir spent 30 hours in a box.

A current picture or two of the dogs, for those who asked..

Here's a picture of Glady. She lays like this whenver she's hot. She'll fall sound asleep, and snore! We have dozens of pictures of this--it is SO funny to us. Usually, she leans her head back too. Nasir has begun to copy this posisition as well. I think because Nasir spent his puppyhood in a cement bunker, he is just now learning 'dog behaviour 101' and copies the strangest behaviours! lol (or at least the ones that Amy and Glady will let him copy!)

This is a picture of Nasir (left) and Amy. They are very similar in appearance. We are pretty good at identifying the blur, now! I find it amazing that dogs produced continents apart have such similar looks. I think we're looking at a certified mixed breed type! (their personalities are vastly different.)

This is Nasir(below), who is considering a name change to 'Forrest Gump'. After taking off this week, and barking at numurous cats, he's about to be voted off the island. (just kidding. We have a strict 'love forever' policy here...)

Nasir, The Malaysian dog!

July 10th Last snorkle trip

Another visit to Perinsian Island. See previous blog for location details. It was a bitter sweet trip. Sorry to say good bye to opportunites like this, and yet so glad to move on and return home.

Beautiful weather. Lot's of family connection. AND an attempt to decompress from the daily stress of Penang.

Really enjoyed the boat ride out to the island. Learning to 'let go' is almost as difficult as learning to 'accept'. Cirmumstances will come and go, but family is eternal. A good time (& place) for closure and reflection.

"The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death" - Thomas Paine

A week with Dave in Penang.

Upon arriving back the next day we picked up "uncle Dave" from the airport to spend some good family time together. We visited the spice gardens, the toy musuem, penang hill, bukit maria eco park, and china town.