First Band Concert

Reeve had his first band concert – and a first for the Woodward family.  It was absolutely wonderful to get to hear the huge band (all of grade 5!) and have the chance to listen to some impressive progress considering nearly none of them had played an instrument prior to the start of the year.

It is fun to see Reeve playing the same trombone that I played when I was in middle school.  Given Reeve’s musical ear, he might have more potential than his father for musical success.

Macky Sighting!

After leaving the Summit, I caught a ride with Chris and Miguel from ISB and made my way to Cameron and Caryn Macky’s house.  We had been at ISK (Nairobi) way back in 1992-93 as we were all starting our overseas careers together.  For the next few years, we had several visits as Cameron and Caryn were in Guayaquil, Ecuador when I was in Peru.  The same year that they got jobs at ISB, I went to ACS, and now we are again back close together in SE Asia.  Shockingly, we had passed in the wind several times.  When Cameron had made trips to ISKL, usually for volleyball tournaments, Doug would be somewhere else for some trip. 

So it was great to see them, hear about ISB, and also celebrate Thanksgiving with the ISB crowd.  It was fun also to see Chad and Susan Bates – who were SO helpful our first year in ISKL, and instrumental in convincing us to make to KL.

Google Summit - Bangkok

Doug went with Dave, Rami and Hui Chun to the Google Summit in Bangkok.  It was a great experience over the weekend and it was good to see some of the ways that Google Forms were being used as well as some great tricks using Google products such as Picasa and a way to spruce up Google Sites using colors that really work and pop.   Of course, the most valuable experiences were meeting other people from around the region as well as having time to reflect, hope and dream for the next steps for ISKL.  Thanks to Dave and the curriculum office for making it possible.

Ampang Stream Study

After the holiday, it was two wonderful days with the Grade 7 at one of the highlights of the year: getting to go to the Ampang Steam, just a few 100 meters from school and do some water testing, ecology study and reflection.  Day #1 with 7A was delightful, beautiful and typically hot and humid.  Day #2 with 7B ended prematurely with a torrential downpour.  By the time we made our way down the mountain, we had wrung out our shirts a few times and the stream was the highest that I had ever seen it!  What a great experience. 

Goodbye Paradise

It was time to say “goodbye” to our little vacation and head back home.  Great views, fun times in the pool. 

View from Above

The hotel allowed for the free rental of some of their water equipment for a limited time, including snorkel equipment and the kayak.  We braved the low tide for some time in the kayak.  We had one of the rooms on the top floor.  The many steps (76?) to get there were worth it once you looked out the balcony and enjoyed the view.  We tried for a family picture after the end of a sun-filled day. 

Coral Island

In the morning, Doug took the kids to Coral Island, a short boat ride away south from the aquarium.   We arranged it through the guy at the hotel and had an enjoyable several hours. The beach was absolutely spectacular and there was some decent snorkeling.  Unfortunately, much of the coral was dead, but we had some fun swimming, snorkeling, playing in the waves and enjoying quite the picturesque view.  After a bit, the kids were ready to head back and enjoy more relaxation around the pool. 

Phuket Day 2

The second day was more fun around the pool and plenty of relaxation.  For dinner we had some simple Thai food right around the corner at one of the few beach stalls that are there.  The beauty of the sunset, simple food right on the beach and the gracious hospitality were quintessentially Thailand. 

Off to Phuket

During our extended November break, we had six wonderful days to refresh and get away.  We made our way to Phuket, where we headed a ways south.  The flight was delayed and we got in late, but the next morning, it was sure fun to be by the pool and at the beach.  Staying at the Panwa Beach Resort, we had a nice stay, though a few hassles with potential credit card fraud can be found in our trip advisor review.

The pool was a great setting and the kids had fun in the pool.  

ISK Gathering

How wonderful to have Connie in town.  It is always so amazing to see her when she passes through town as part of her work with the Office of Overseas Schools.  Thanks to Gary and Terry Piech's generosity, we had a gathering of people who worked at ISK in Nairobi at one time.  Not all of us overlapped, but it was so great to catch up and tell stories of different times we were there.  We had a most wonderful dinner with everyone sharing a favorite Africa story as we went down memory lane.  And, of course, Connie being in town is a highlight that is always cause for celebration.