Legoland Malaysia...

So, it's been a week since Blaine's surgery and we're home and adjusting. Blaine goes tomorrow for his first follow-up appointment - just to check his sutures. It will be another week before they come out and the hard cast goes on. In the meanwhile, we've set up his bedroom/office/living room/dining room on the first floor of our house. While he's still bedridden for the most part, we're doing okay and hoping he will become more mobile when the hardcast goes on in a little over a week.

A couple of people asked for a follow-up on my rant about LEGOLAND Malaysia. If you didn't see my Facebook post let me catch you up.

Thanks Shannon for the pics!

We had planned a surprise long weekend for the boys - taking them to LEGOLAND Malaysia and Universal Studios/Hard Rock Singapore. We booked this great trip, paid in full and then Blaine ruptured his patella. So, we sent our travel agent a note just asking that we be able to rebook (along with a doctor's note - so they knew we weren't just cancelling for no reason)...figuring we'd have a 10-15% rebooking fee. Well, Hard Rock was great - 10% to rebook - I can live with that. LEGOLAND on the other hand wanted to charge us 60% to rebook. Pissed me right off! So...I took my fight to Facebook and posted on their page about my situation. Low and behold, they dropped the rebooking fee down to 22% - still not ideal, but I can live with it. So, we're rebooked for late August - and it will still be a surprise for the boys - and all is well.

Anyways, I've learned in recent months that you just need to take your issues about customer service to social media...much more effective when your complaint is on their page for everyone to read!

Porkapalooza 2014

So with all the craziness of the past week, I didn't get a chance to blog about Porkapalooza 2014. All I can say is that we had a really great time hanging out with our friends...and the food...AMAZING!! Pork appetizers, pork main dishes, pork side dishes, and pork desserts. If you didn't get your fill of pork that evening...well, it's not our damn fault. We have awesome friends who are wonderful cooks and really outdid themselves.

The Golden Pigs are at their new homes! We hope everyone had a great evening - and we hope you'll be back next year for the 2nd annual event!

The Golden Pigs and Alcohol - The Prizes for 2014

Small portion of all of the amazing food

Friends hanging out

Us with the winners

Craig Convey - Grand Champion

Shannon Stannard - Dessert Champion

Alissa Ellingson - Side Dish Champion

Mike Joy - Main Dish Champion

Michelle Convey - Appetizer Champion

 

Thanks again everyone for coming! Start searching for the next winning dish! We'll do it again!

Fab 5 Friday...No! Definitely Not This Week...

So, it's been a rough week at our house. With Blaine's knee, well, let's just say the week has sucked. But, he's home and we're getting by...and we'd much rather have him home than in the hospital.

So I'm ditching Fab 5 Friday this week for "5 Things I've Learned This Week..."

1. I hate driving downtown. I don't know how people do it each and every day. The traffic sucks. I dropped more "F-Bombs" in 10k than I do in the average day. (And I curse a LOT!) So glad the daily hospital trips are over.

2. Friends are invaluable. Yes, I know this, but a crisis makes it even clearer. I don't know what we would've done without our friends this week. Shannon, who came to help on Sunday when I sent the boys running to get her and then proceeded to take my kids for the rest of the day. The offers of playdates and trips to the grocery store for us. Texts and phone calls and messages. Tips and tricks that people have sent us. (Yes, Alissa, we're using the office chair as a wheelchair.) These all have meant a lot. Blaine has a long road  ahead of him - with the hardest being the next 2-3 weeks - so I may still need to reach out to some of you and take you up on your kind offers of help. When you're abroad, you can never have enough support.
 
3. I'm a terrible nurse. When you come down in the morning and ask your husband, "What are your goals today?" Well, let's just say I make a better coach. But, we do have a plan to get him up and walking every few hours and the doctor warned him that's it's going to be uncomfortable and sometimes we'll just have to power through. Power through...that's my middle name. We've got this!

4. When I'm stressed, I crank out some good writing. I was behind on my next article for WOD Talk. Oh, let's be honest...I hadn't even started it. So...Monday, while hanging out with Blaine, I started my next piece. Within 15 minutes I'd finished it. And, I really liked it. It was easy to write. Probably because it was so personal to me. And, while I found the writing easy, it was very hard for me to submit it. I probably waited a good 3-4 hours before submitting it. Thankfully, Heather emailed me back that she loved it! Hopefully, it will hit the site soon. I'll be sure to share when it does. And, I've got my topic for this week - Crossfit and Ironman Putrajaya. And, as soon as I can get some time to interview Jen and Madhu - they'll be the subject of an article, along with a few of the Crossfitters I've reached out to that are heading to Regionals. I've got lots to write about!
 
5. Family is the best. The kids have been awesome this week. They were very well-behaved for our neighbors on Sunday. They came to the hospital to visit Blaine several times. They were soooooo excited when he came home Wednesday evening. They both want to help...get water, grab the phone, learn how to lift his leg so it doesn't hurt. Thank you boys!

Homework at the hospital

 

 

Here's to a better week next week! Hoping we'll have some small things to celebrate next Friday!!

 

The Easter Ambulance...

Yeah, I really didn't want to go to the Ritz-Carlton for Easter brunch yesterday...I mean, who wanted gourmet cheeses, prime rib and Yorkshire pudding, a chocolate fountain and free flow champagne? Seriously overrated. I much prefer a day of "firsts." My first time seeing my husband pass out in pain, my very first ambulance ride, my first trip to Prince Court Medical Center...oooh, Happy Easter. Screw the free flow!

Yes, Blaine ruptured his patella yesterday...walking. (We seriously need to come up with a better story than this...) He was walking by the clubhouse in our development and went down. Lucky for him, two neighbors (who we don't know) managed to get him up and over to our house. He passed out briefly from the pain while I sent the kiddos to grab Shannon and figure out what the hell we need to do to get an ambulance in this country. (999 - in case you were unaware - like me.) Then, you call the ambulance and they won't come because it's not an emergency...so they give you the number to a private ambulance company. I called them...yup, they'll come, but not until I agree to pay 230rm. DUDE! No problem...send the freakin' ambulance.

The ambulance and Blaine in the ambulance

(Thanks Shannon for snapping the ambulance pic)

 

So the ambulance arrives and Shannon takes my kiddos (Thank you Shannon and Jim!) and I get to ride in the back! We get to the hospital and get him situated in the emergency room...x-rays. ER doc takes a look and thinks maybe the patella is just dislocated. They give him some crazy drugs which just about knock him out and try a manual manipulation of the knee. Nope...doesn't work. Wait some more...MRI time. Yup, patella rupture. Fill out the paperwork to get him a room. Up to his room and settled.

Blaine in the ER

Shannon comes to get me (once again, thank you!) and drives me home so I can grab my car,  pack a bag and take the kids back to see Blaine. Shannon then tells me that Grayson was vomiting after brunch. (Yes, when it rains, it pours. But, thankfully, it was strictly a case of too tired, too much chocolate.) We go back and quickly see Blaine and give hugs and kisses. The boys were very nervous that it was something more serious...so it was good they got to see him.

All the kids at Easter Brunch

The orthopedic surgeon has literally just left (I was blogging as he came in). His name is Dr. Badrul. He will be doing surgery on Blaine this afternoon around 4 p.m. It's a complete tear of the tendon...which may have been caused by Blaine's fall from the pool a few months back. (That's at least a little better story than "I was walking...") No golf for a while, but should have a fine recovery.

A big thanks to the neighbors (I'm sorry I don't know your name) that helped get Blaine to the house and to the Stannards for taking my kiddos to brunch and watching them until I could get home. Your friends become your family when you're abroad...and this was a prime example of having good friends that you can count on!

So...hanging out at the hospital today. Send some good thoughts his way...he's already sick of the hospital...so hopefully, we can spring him tomorrow or the next day.

Fab 5 Friday x 2...

So earlier this week I blogged about a Huff Post article that discussed 27 things you'd miss while you're abroad. While I didn't miss everything on the list, there were definitely a few that I had to touch upon. And, you know, the article probably really hit a nerve as it's getting closer and closer to the time when I'll be heading home to see my family (62 days)...and I miss the heck out of them! But, after I posted it, and a bunch of friends here in KL chimed in about what they miss, Krystal (who is moving here in June) asked if I could write about what I LOVE about living in Malaysia...and that is not a problem! There are many things I love about living here - and that's why it's "Fab 5 Friday x 2." Let's get after it!

1. The weather. It's always summer here. Always. Always warm and the vast majority of days you see sunshine at some point - even between rainstorms. I love shorts, tank tops, flip flops, maxi dresses...love it! It's not to say I don't miss cooler weather and less humidity, but I don't miss snow.

This was a photo from our vacation - here in Malaysia.

2. Friends from all over the world. I have made amazing friends in the short time we've been here. Friends who bring new perspectives. Friends who pick me up on the down days. Friends who laugh with me on the good ones. Friends I know I can count on in a jam. When you are far away from home, it's important to make good friends. I can honestly say I've done that.

Susan (from Canada), Me (from the U.S.) and Lorna (from Malaysia)

The list is long - China, Australia, France, The Netherlands, Denmark, Vietnam, India...

 

3. Great variety of inexpensive restaurants. There are some wonderful restaurants here in KL with every type of cuisine under the sun! And, most are not expensive. It definitely makes dining out a pleasure. (Oh, Pad Thai how do I love thee!?)

4. Easy and inexpensive travel. You can travel to soooooo many places from Kuala Lumpur and airline prices are fairly reasonable. We're taking full advantage of this! Cambodia?! Bali?! Korea?! (Yes, I'm heading to Korea for the Asia Regionals of the Crossfit Games - sans children!) These are places I never dreamed I would visit and feel so lucky that I'm going to have these experiences while here.

5. What this experience has done for my children. My children have been real troopers. They have adjusted and adapted and are so much more confident, self-reliant, and self-assured. And they really seem to like it here in Malaysia. They have great friends, enjoy the travel, love our home, and yet, still can't wait to go visit their grandparents this summer.

Grayson and Caleb

6. Outdoor cafes/restaurants. Ah, I love dining outside - year round. There is nothing better than enjoying a nice meal, cup of coffee, or cold beer while sitting outside and people watching. And you can do this all over KL, 12 months of the year.

7. Spas. Yup...spas definitely make the list. Massages are cheap. Manicures and pedicures are cheap. And I take full advantage of this!

8. Abundance of public holidays. Malaysia seems to have at least 1 public holiday every month...and that's a day that we get to spend as a family, because 90% of the time, Blaine will have them off as well. It's fantastic. Most times we don't do anything spectacular or special, but it is nice to have a few extra days off that we didn't have in the States.

9. Negotiating. When you go shopping, you can negotiate - at least a little - on most things. Obviously, not at the grocery store and things like that, but my husband, the master haggler, loves to go out and try to get the best price. He can do that here. Whether it was for our new mattress or the boys' hats in Chinatown - Blaine gets to put his haggling skills to work. While I don't like to do this...I do love that it can be done, and that my husband seems to enjoy the process.

10. Our helper. I'd be completely remiss if I didn't mention our helper/maid/babysitter - Elizabeth. She truly makes our house run smoothly. She keeps my house clean (cleaner that it would ever be if I was cleaning it!) and my laundry done (which means Blaine doesn't have to fold!) and cooks when I need her to (which isn't often - I just can't give up cooking.) She watches my children and is just a genuinely dear woman. This part of life in KL has totally spoiled me.

It's always an adventure here in Malaysia and not everyone enjoys the adventure. Yes, you sometimes have to hit 3 grocery stores to get everything you need for a dish. Yes, traffic is crazy. Yes, customer service is not always the best. But, if ex-pat life was easy...everyone would be signing up to do it. And trust me, they're not. It's not for the faint of heart. You need to be open to the experiences, learn from the challenges, and embrace the small victories. And know that the 10 things listed here...go a long way to making the experience great.

Ironman Putrajaya 70.3

So Sunday was Ironman Putrajaya 70.3. I teamed this race with Susan (on the bike) and Lorna (on the run) and me - on the swim. WHAT?! Yes, I said swim...can you freakin' believe it? I actually volunteered to swim 1.2 miles in a lake...not a pool...a lake.

Now, my other team members are complete rock stars...very fast. Me...not so much. I knew I could do the distance, make my time cut-off, no issues. But, speedy...nope. Can't count on me for that. And, I'll say I had a good case of nerves beforehand, as I haven't done this distance since my Ironman 70.3 (which was 4 1/2 years ago). Yeah, I've done a couple Olympic distances since then - which is damn close, but not this distance and not in a lake.

So, Sunday morning came and at the ass crack of dawn, my fabulous Sherpa (who now would like everyone to know that he is an "international Sherpa") and my support crew, along with Susan, headed up to Putrajaya.

Support Crew and Sherpa

 

I was thankful to be swimming today as it was going to be a scorcher, but I was not thankful that teams are the last ones in the water. (Yup...big fear of mine is being last out of the water.) Anyways, after sending the support crew off with cowbells in hand, I grabbed a seat on the lawn to watch the pros go off...only to realize that we would be treading water at the start of the swim. (That's a first for me - I've always had a beach start.) Okay...deep breath. I've got this. Then, we head down to the dock to jump in the water and who's swimming with the teams...Craig Alexander. So we do a little group photo and we hop in!

 

 

Once I was in the water, the nerves melted away. After a few initial kicks by some people around me - the group thinned out and I had some space and I just kept moving. My pace was good, my breathing was good, I even heard my support crew and cowbells about mid-way through the race. I passed a few people from the waves in front of me...which meant I wasn't going to be last out of the water! WOOT! WOOT! All was well.

 

My time was my time...it was right where I thought I'd be and I passed my chip off to Susan, who went and killed it on the bike. It was hot! So hot! I really felt bad for bikers and runners on Sunday, but then again...it is Malaysia. You know what you're signing up for.

 

Susan on the bike





 

Susan came back and handed the chip off to Lorna...who went and made quick work of her 13.1 miles. It can not have been easy on the asphalt with the heat and humidity...no matter how conditioned you are.

 

Lorna on the run

 

Lorna was pretty sure she passed our competition at the 7K marker...which meant we would receive first place female team! Say what!?!?! Crazy! But, she was right...

 

Team FitMommas



 

 So...I have an amazing Ironman Putrajaya 70.3 First Place Female Team trophy in my possession! A big round of thanks to my fabulous partners - who just killed it out there with the heat and humidity! I had the easy job that day - for sure!

 

 

27 Things You'll Miss About America When You're Abroad...

So this article ("27 Things You'll Miss About America When You're Abroad") popped up in my Facebook newsfeed this morning (here's a link to it). Of course, I had to read it and see if it matches up with my list of things I miss. I had to laugh because a few of my new favourite "missing" things made the list! Here are some of mine that made the Huff Post article...

1. Ice. When you got out to a restaurant, ice in your glass is at a premium. I've noticed that most restaurants don't have ice machines and receive bagged ice deliveries each morning. 9 times out of 10 my kids don't get any ice in their cups...I'm assuming because they're kids and I get a few cubes.

2. Girl Scout Cookies. Yup, none of those here in Malaysia. I have a friend who is starting a brand new Daisy troop in KL. Of course, I had to ask about cookies. I was told that Girl Scout cookies aren't sold internationally. BUMMER! I'm hoping some member of my family or a friend stashed a box away for me when I return home this summer.

3. Drive-Thrus. Yes, they are very few and far between here. I think I went through one drive-thru Starbuck's in Penang a few months back when we were visiting. Other than that, I can't recall using one. My OBX friends, let me tell you that there is most definitely not a Brew Thru here...

4. Efficient and Friendly Customer Service. It does exist here. But, it is seriously lacking.

5. WTF is a kilometre? Hahaha! This has taken me a while. I remember being taught about the metric system in the 2nd grade and Mrs. Ackley assured us that the WHOLE WORLD would be using the metric system within a few years. Nope, didn't happen. I can now pretty easily convert miles to kilometres (thanks to running 5ks and 10ks) and I can do the kilos to pounds, but forget Celsius to Fahrenheit. All I'll tell you is that it's FREAKIN' hot in Malaysia...no matter what scale you're using.

6. Wearing Sweats In Public. I did it all the time in the States. Here, I feel like it's a small fashion show each day. People are dressed really fabulously or really awful...there's no middle. And nobody's rockin' the sweatpants. Of course, that could be because it's so flippin' hot. Come the end of June when I return home, I'm looking forward to that first cool night where I can put on my sweats and a hoodie.

7. Free Refills. As I've stated before I've been known to dine at an American chain restaurant here just for the free refills on Coke Light. Chili's and TGIFriday's...I'm glad that free refills is an international thing at your restaurants.

8. Diet Coke. Coke Light...just not the same. Just. Not. The. Same.

Happy Monday Peeps! Please go drink a big, ice-filled Diet Coke from your local McDonald's Drive-Thru (because we all know they have the best fountain Diet Coke) and eat a couple of Samoas for me!

Fab 5 Friday...

Yes, it's been a crazy, busy week! Why is it always like this after vacation? Trying to get the kids back into a routine, several meetings, school stuff to get done...just lots and lots of STUFF.

That being said, it was a good week...So let me share some of the highlights!

1. WOD Talk Magazine. Yes, I applied to write for WOD Talk Magazine...and I got it! My first article hit their website yesterday (it's a humor piece about my kiddos and Crossfit and the funny things they say!) and I'm hoping to head to Seoul, South Korea to cover the Asia Regional Games in May. Super psyched! Go to: wodtalk.com and you can read it!

 

 

2. High Party Planning Mode. I've missed entertaining recently, but, that's now been fixed! We're having a Porkapalooza party - where everyone has to bring a dish or two containing pork in one of the following categories: appetizer, side dish, main course or dessert. All dishes will be voted on and prizes (in the form of "The Golden Pig" and alcohol) will be awarded in each category along with a grand champion. I'm also co-coordinating the staff appreciation event for MKIS - and we have a really fun theme this year. (Okay...at least I think it's fun!) So...this along with a bunch of other little projects should keep me busy until school gets out.

 

 



3. Ironman Putrajaya 70.3 Hmmm...I'm not sure if this should really be in the Fab 5. Oh, maybe it makes it because I'm looking forward to it being over! Hahahaha! Sunday, I'm relaying the race with Susan and Lorna. I'm the swimmer...the very slow swimmer. I have no doubts that I'll get it done, but think of me as an extremely slow turtle swimming in a lake of sticky caramel. Isn't that a picture? (I predict I will be last out of the water - but as long as I get out!!! Hahaha!) I will say I have stuck to my plan of swimming 2-3 times per week and I really won't miss swimming laps for a while when this is done. I think it's time to go back to running again and see if my back can handle it. It will be like starting from scratch...Couch to 5K here I come! I've done a marathon  and several halfs (check that off the bucket list) and I don't see long distances in my future again...I just want to find the enjoyment that running used to bring me.

4. Nate and Nhi and Mexican and Margaritas. Nate and Nhi are here visiting from Vietnam. Nate had some meetings here in KL and he brought Nhi along. Always nice to have Cargill friends visit. The kids have been waiting for "Big Baldy" to come again! So we met up with them Thursday evening for Mexican and margaritas and they'll be staying with us this weekend. Yay for friends from home!

Fresca

 



5. KidZania. This is another one that I can't believe made the list this week. I chaperoned Grayson's class trip to KidZania - which is this crazy, kid-sized city where they role play different jobs, earning money, spending money - basically learning about real-life experiences. Grayson begged me to come with - so I did. I will say the place is pretty cool - and the kids have a blast. And my kiddo, who normally drives me insane, was AMAZING! Kind, thoughtful, considerate, caring...just great! (Although, the overwhelming noise of the place did necessitate margaritas. Please refer to #4 above.)

KidZania with Grayson (and his buddies from school)

All right...that brings another edition of Fab 5 Friday to a close. Back to routine next week. Back to Crossfit (I missed you guys this week, but couldn't take the chance of screwing up my back with Ironman 70.3 Putrajaya on Sunday.) Back to morning coffee and regular writing. Back to the routine I love...

Club Med Cherating...

We spent last week at Club Med Cherating...while I will say that the rooms need some SERIOUS upgrading/deep cleaning, we really did have a great time. It was restful and relaxing and my kids had a blast due to the AMAZING kids club. The GO's there totally make the experience - even making you forget about the rooms. Here's a few photos - and video - from our week!

 The view from our room

 



My guys ready for dinner

Showtime for Grayson! Yes...he was wearing a little vest which got thrown off stripper style!

 

Grayson dancing to "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer on stage

Caleb and his friends performing

 

Caleb dancing to Usher

Post show celebration

This monkey stole the can of Pringles from some folks and enjoyed a snack

Blaine on stage...Scary!

Caleb's favourite GO, Derek

The weather was perfect, we had a fabulous time at the pool, the kids made a ton of new friends and we feel rested and ready to start the week!

Fab 5 Friday Funnies...

Ah, there's nothing like being on vacation to bring about a few laughs. This week has been full of them that's for sure! So here's a few of the highlights...

 

1. Survivor Eating Challenges. So we all know that my children are not the most adventurous eaters...beige, American cuisine will always be their first choice. Well, this week we paid our children to try a few new things. We deemed them "Survivor" challenges. Escargot, tofu and snap peas were on the menu. Needless to say, only Caleb earned money and it was worth the cash shelled out just to watch his face.

 

2. Chicken Nugget Man. I laughed my ass off one night as an aging Asian gentleman loaded his plate full of chicken nuggets (much to the disbelief of a large group of children who really wanted some nuggets). His plate must've had 25-30 pieces on it...really, chicken nuggets?! Of all the things...

 

3. The Club Med Duo/Trio. Ah, nothing like a cover band to bring you laughter. From Wham to Willie Nelson, from Abba to Kenny Rogers, you could not help but giggle.

 

The Flowers - Yes, that's really their name

 

4. Pretty Woman. Okay, the kids have participated in several skits/musical performances here at Club Med. But, my favorite performance was watching the fabulously gay mini club director lead a group of 4-7 year old girls in a dance choreographed to "Pretty Woman." Allen rocked it and he and his staff truly made our kids have a great week.

 

Allen - The Mini Club Director

 

5. "Mom, I'm heading to the bar." We must've heard this a million times over the course of our stay. Nothing like hearing this as your 7 or 9 year old bellies up for his Shirley Temples. If only they could've brought me a beverage, too!

 

The Bar - With Grayson Bellying Up! They even have a set of stairs so the kids can grab the bartenders attention!

 

So those are this week's funnies...courtesy of Club Med Cherating. I have left out Blaine's cross dressing and Grayson and Caleb's performances, but I will have a second Fab 5 tomorrow...with a few additional things from the week!

Aaaaaahhhhh...

 A fruity drink, my Kindle, flip flops, sunshine and the pool...all I need.

Please note the lack of children. Thank you, Mini Club...worth every penny.