New Year's Eve

 As we're at the end of 2023, we're so incredibly thankful and blessed by so much.  Great to have family together, as well as countless other blessings from great jobs, great schools for our kids, family supporting us, good health and an abundance of God's mercies upon our family. 

Enjoying Din Tai Fung on New Year's Eve.

Yum!

 Gabi enjoying more amazing Malaysian food during her time in KL. 

Together

 Three people here. Enjoying our kitchen.

Food (and new Phone)

Tracy did get a new phone from the Machines (Apple) show in Great Eastern, and we spend all of Thursday trying to start the process of replacing items, and getting access to accounts, verifying identity, and getting Tracy's phone number back on her new phone. The silver lining is that maybe it was time for a slight upgrade of the phone anyway?

 

Scene of the Crime

 Not a great evening.  While meeting Reeve's friend Prakash, Prakash's girlfriend (both of whom were visiting form the UK), as well as his dad and dad's fiancee, Tracy's purse was stolen. 

It was pretty discouraging.  The next day, we saw a snippet on CCTV - and it was within just a second, someone with a plastic bag sat down on the bench a ways from Tracy, and then just turned and grabbed the purse from next to Tracy and was gone.  It was quite a saga, going to CCTV and KLCC security location, filling out the report, and then being directed to the police department.  We were frantically trying to call all of the credit card and debit card companies (a lesson not to have too many cards in your purse or wallet) to cancel everything.  Already, within minutes, a few transactions were made. 

The police department near Dang Wangi was an adventure in and of itself.  It took several hours and we provided all of the information that we could.  It isn't very hopeful of getting anything recovered.  Losing all of the photos on Tracy's phone (and not having them backed up) was a big disappointment - as well as how difficult it is to get anything confirmed (your identity, for example, to cancel the credit card, without having a way to verify via a phone number). 

Here are pictures (from the next day) from where we were sitting - within clear view of CCTV. 

Thankfully, only a handful of transactions - more on the US debit card - and fewer on the Maybank card (interesting, as we tried to cancel the local Malaysian credit cards - the Maybank ones first, thinking that was higher priority - a lesson that international cards are probably a higher priority) were able to be blocked and we were not out any extra costs on that end.  Tracy did, the next day, get a new phone and began the process of trying to get access back to her bank account. 

Despite how safe KL is, it is an important reminder to be vigilant and keep your hand through your belongings in crowded places.

KLCC

Some pictures in the lobby of KLCC.  Look lovingly at the picture below, as it is the last time we'll see Tracy's purse (see subsequent blog post). 

 

Christmas Morning!

 Wow, what a thrill to get to be together and open presents on Christmas morning. 

 

Stockings

 Us with our stockings on Christmas morning. 

Christmas Eve

 In reverse order, our traditional Christmas Eve dinner.  From the dessert Oreo Cookie (even gluten free!) to our delicious meal, complete with two types of meat, and the Christmas placemats and table decorations made lovingly by Doug's mom.

Great to have the whole family together.  Wow, what a privilege!

Presents

 Not sure how so many presents arrive under our tree!  Santa must be a bit busy as Christmas Eve arrives.

Gabi & Zoe

 Gabi is pretty happy with the downtown, warm, KL vibe - and getting to hang out with friends at some of her favorite places. 

Trio

 The three of us on the escalator.

Selling the Keyboard

 The keyboard, which Rania took piano lessons on for a while, is now going to a new home.  Vincent Cee, the amazing music teacher poses with ISKL grad, Gabi for a not-at-all-awkward photo in our basement car park. 

Gabi Arrives!

 So wonderful to have Gabi here.  Wow!!!

KLCC Christmas

 Tracy in the KLCC center area with their always impressive decorations. 

Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

We went to see a movie together - The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, the Hunger Games prequel. It was quite fun - though Tracy falling asleep during a few critical scenes made it a bit more complicated when debriefing what happened.

 

Chocolate Walk

 Walking Chocolate, our dog, just outside our condo.  Looks like Chocolate has the squint eye look down for her photo shoot :)

Holiday & Football

With the beginning of the Christmas break, some NFL football and a relaxing Monday morning.  So grateful for so much this Christmas!
 

Christmas in Chicago

 Before flying out, Gabi is enjoying a Christmas market in Chicago.