When lining up in public bathrooms in Malaysia, you’re usually forced to choose a toilet and stick with it. There’s not a single line, where the person at the front can use the first available toilet. There is a short line in front of each toilet. I must admit that I’m not a fan of this system. Reason being, as any experienced user of public toilets will know, some toilets will stay occupied for aaaaages while others will have a fast turnover of guests. If you really really need to pee and you’re stuck waiting in front of a toilet where the line just isn’t moving, you then need to make the decision to stay put or cut your losses and join the end of another line. SO frustrating – seriously! It’s times like these that I wish I was guy – just for a moment!
Fabien’s birthday was at the start of December (Dec 1st, World Aids Day!) and Jenny organised a surprise birthday party for him at Red Box – Karaoke – YAY! My first asian karaoke experience in almost 2 years was not a disappointment! Private room, buffet, and even beer.
Sharmini invited me to attend the wedding of a Malay colleague – and of course I jumped at the chance! The street was blocked off, and a big tent was set up in front of the house. There were actually two weddings, one for the bride’s family in Malacca the previous weekend, and this one for the groom’s family in KL. When we arrived they told us to get some food. They had cooked all of the food themselves – it was the best Malay food that I’ve tried! We were given a gift of a blue facetowel each, beautifully wrapped up with flowers and beads etc as trim. We went inside to meet the bride, Sharm’s friend from work. Her kabaya was a modern version – strapless! She wasn’t wearing a headscarfe, apparently she wears one most days at work cos she can’t be bothered doing her hair, but when she goes out she doesn’t wear one! I was shocked when Sharms told me! Anyway, there was a procession along with hired drummers, a kung fu performance for the couple, and then they went inside to be seated at the stage set up in the living room with lights and flowers set up all around it. It was such a relaxed event, people were constantly arriving, eating and then leaving, and friends of friends (like me) were so welcome. Like most of my experiences with Malaysian hospitality actually, people are very relaxed and just want everyone to enjoy themselves J
Christmas:
Actually I decided at the last minute to come back to Adelaide for a week over Christmas! I had to work a few days cos I didn’t have enough leave and there are still deadlines, but it’s been great to catch up with a few people and spend time with mum & dad and my cat :) Michael is still in Russia and I think mum & dad find the house pretty quiet without us!
I had decorated our apartment in KL in early December, with fairy lights over the glass doors, red ribbons, a tiny real tree, candles, etc. SO much fun shopping at Jusco with Sharmini – and lots of the stuff was already reduced to half priced. Before Christmas? I couldn’t understand it, but I was pretty happy about it! We have a tree at work too, complete with cotton wool. I couldn’t understand the cotton wool – in Australia we accept that we don’t have snow and we don’t try to pretend any other way! Buy I must admit, all of the trees in KL seem to have cotton wool, and it actually can look quite good! :)
Fabien’s birthday was at the start of December (Dec 1st, World Aids Day!) and Jenny organised a surprise birthday party for him at Red Box – Karaoke – YAY! My first asian karaoke experience in almost 2 years was not a disappointment! Private room, buffet, and even beer.
Sharmini invited me to attend the wedding of a Malay colleague – and of course I jumped at the chance! The street was blocked off, and a big tent was set up in front of the house. There were actually two weddings, one for the bride’s family in Malacca the previous weekend, and this one for the groom’s family in KL. When we arrived they told us to get some food. They had cooked all of the food themselves – it was the best Malay food that I’ve tried! We were given a gift of a blue facetowel each, beautifully wrapped up with flowers and beads etc as trim. We went inside to meet the bride, Sharm’s friend from work. Her kabaya was a modern version – strapless! She wasn’t wearing a headscarfe, apparently she wears one most days at work cos she can’t be bothered doing her hair, but when she goes out she doesn’t wear one! I was shocked when Sharms told me! Anyway, there was a procession along with hired drummers, a kung fu performance for the couple, and then they went inside to be seated at the stage set up in the living room with lights and flowers set up all around it. It was such a relaxed event, people were constantly arriving, eating and then leaving, and friends of friends (like me) were so welcome. Like most of my experiences with Malaysian hospitality actually, people are very relaxed and just want everyone to enjoy themselves J
Christmas:
Actually I decided at the last minute to come back to Adelaide for a week over Christmas! I had to work a few days cos I didn’t have enough leave and there are still deadlines, but it’s been great to catch up with a few people and spend time with mum & dad and my cat :) Michael is still in Russia and I think mum & dad find the house pretty quiet without us!
I had decorated our apartment in KL in early December, with fairy lights over the glass doors, red ribbons, a tiny real tree, candles, etc. SO much fun shopping at Jusco with Sharmini – and lots of the stuff was already reduced to half priced. Before Christmas? I couldn’t understand it, but I was pretty happy about it! We have a tree at work too, complete with cotton wool. I couldn’t understand the cotton wool – in Australia we accept that we don’t have snow and we don’t try to pretend any other way! Buy I must admit, all of the trees in KL seem to have cotton wool, and it actually can look quite good! :)
