As part of working with a cool 7th grade science project monitoring water quality and evaluating the chemical components of a healthy stream, Doug was featured in a video journal as part of the local Star newspaper -- one of the largest newspapers in Malaysia.
You can see the video via the YouTube link.
Or you can access via the Star's website.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Saturday Basketball
Doug has been coaching Reeve's basketball team. So every Saturday morning we head off to the elementary gym, where things are full of second graders. Our team is Transpo -- named after a local sponsor.
Of course we're not supposed to keep score, but last week we had a veritable beat-down with a 32-0 trouncing of the opponents (as the score was gleefully repeated by our team after each basket, much to our opponents , since both teams had kids missing due to Halloween parties and sugar highs. Our opponents were missing more of their better players, though.
But in our penultimate game, we arrived to discover that our star player had broken his arm, and will be out for the entire season (one more week).
Hence we were again put in a typical defensive battle where "swarm" ball takes over the court. It's hard to teach the basics of basketball -- ALWAYS BEAT A ZONE PRESS BY PASSING.
Actually it's just hard to remind kids to not swarm the ball, especially when it is ridiculously effective. Not that we keep score, but this time it wasn't hard to lose track after Reeve scored the only basket of the game in a 2-0 nail biter.
Of course we're not supposed to keep score, but last week we had a veritable beat-down with a 32-0 trouncing of the opponents (as the score was gleefully repeated by our team after each basket, much to our opponents , since both teams had kids missing due to Halloween parties and sugar highs. Our opponents were missing more of their better players, though. But in our penultimate game, we arrived to discover that our star player had broken his arm, and will be out for the entire season (one more week).
Hence we were again put in a typical defensive battle where "swarm" ball takes over the court. It's hard to teach the basics of basketball -- ALWAYS BEAT A ZONE PRESS BY PASSING.
Actually it's just hard to remind kids to not swarm the ball, especially when it is ridiculously effective. Not that we keep score, but this time it wasn't hard to lose track after Reeve scored the only basket of the game in a 2-0 nail biter.
Playing in the Rain
During the rare times when the rain is not a thunder and lightning downpour, we will sometimes go out in our little garden or in our driveway and play in the rain. Since it is warm all the time, it's great to cool off. Rania decided to take the chance to go out in the rain and dance around, complete with her beautiful dress. Such fun memories and you sometimes wonder -- can our kids get any cuter? It also makes me realize how much I need to learn how to use our new camera -- still getting a bit too blurry of pictures. Where is a great photography lesson when I need it?
Halloween in Malaysia
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2009
We had a fun time trick-or-treating. There was a touch of a tropical downpour that got us a bit wet, but we managed to avoid the worst of the rain.
It is a great neighborhood tradition to head over to our friends house and trick-or-treat around a largely ex-patriate neighborhood.
We kept our same costumes for the year -- Rania claiming she was an island princess -- like "Ra" from Barbie-Island Princess. Gabi, a gymnast, and Reeve a superstar soccer player.
After we got home, we had to sort our stashes and organize them.
We had a fun time trick-or-treating. There was a touch of a tropical downpour that got us a bit wet, but we managed to avoid the worst of the rain.
It is a great neighborhood tradition to head over to our friends house and trick-or-treat around a largely ex-patriate neighborhood.
We kept our same costumes for the year -- Rania claiming she was an island princess -- like "Ra" from Barbie-Island Princess. Gabi, a gymnast, and Reeve a superstar soccer player.
After we got home, we had to sort our stashes and organize them.
Celebrating Halloween at School
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2009
Rania was on hand to send the older kids off to school for their Halloween celebration. Gabi continued her insistence on dressing up as a gymnast girl. Reeve continued to be a soccer player. This is the scene from where we wait for the bus -- a morning routine for our family before daddy headed off to school.
The kids had a parade and came home with a bit of candy!
And one more day until mommy gets home!
Rania was on hand to send the older kids off to school for their Halloween celebration. Gabi continued her insistence on dressing up as a gymnast girl. Reeve continued to be a soccer player. This is the scene from where we wait for the bus -- a morning routine for our family before daddy headed off to school. The kids had a parade and came home with a bit of candy!
And one more day until mommy gets home!
Talking with Mommy
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2009
We were lucky enough to get a call from mommy, and we had the whole range of human emotion as the kids talked on the phone -- fighting over the phone, tears for missing mommy, and absolute joy to hear about "mommy's hotel."
The kids sure appreciated that mommy had a little bit of a break and had a chance to call Malaysia!
We were lucky enough to get a call from mommy, and we had the whole range of human emotion as the kids talked on the phone -- fighting over the phone, tears for missing mommy, and absolute joy to hear about "mommy's hotel." The kids sure appreciated that mommy had a little bit of a break and had a chance to call Malaysia!
Kids at play
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2009
For a week when mommy is away, we are doing quite well. The kids are having fun, and after school decided to change into their costumes and play a bit in our garden.
For a week when mommy is away, we are doing quite well. The kids are having fun, and after school decided to change into their costumes and play a bit in our garden.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Funny Tidbits from a Weekend
The weekend has come to a close; we kept busy, but here are some funny little tidbits.
1) While swimming at Grandpa and Grandma's house, Rania says, "I want to play iPod." A bit later, "I want to play iPod." Hmm. .. in the swimming pool? Finally I figure out she wants to play Marco Polo.
Ahh, these 21st Century Digital Natives confused with a swimming pool game named after an ancient traveler.
2) While watching Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Rania and Gabi each were standing up on the seat, so excited about what was going to happen. Another time, in a quiet, comparatively tense situation, the theater is silent and Gabi is loudly saying, "I'm so scared. I don't like what's going to happen."
Looks like we need some work on movie etiquette, eh?
1) While swimming at Grandpa and Grandma's house, Rania says, "I want to play iPod." A bit later, "I want to play iPod." Hmm. .. in the swimming pool? Finally I figure out she wants to play Marco Polo.
Ahh, these 21st Century Digital Natives confused with a swimming pool game named after an ancient traveler.
2) While watching Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Rania and Gabi each were standing up on the seat, so excited about what was going to happen. Another time, in a quiet, comparatively tense situation, the theater is silent and Gabi is loudly saying, "I'm so scared. I don't like what's going to happen."
Looks like we need some work on movie etiquette, eh?
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
After our Halloween party, we had a great time with Reeve's second grade class watching Flint Lockwood save the world in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Good fun movie.
Before the movie, they had quite the characters decked out in front of a store in some sort of promotion.
It was impressive to see how many people showed up -- and many thanks to the parents who helped organize the event. It was great fun for the whole family and fun for the kids to get to be together outside of school.
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