Thought everyone might like an update from our side of the world...
1. Ken is doing really well after Chemo Round 2. The update from his DR was really good last Friday, his blood work is still all within normal range, his weight is maintaining (and I might say it's the weight he was when we met, so while he seems thin, he's really just back to his normal weight), he has an excellent appetite, his ankle is completely healed, and he's doing PT once a week to improve his agility in the ankle. All in all we feel very blessed at how it's going so far, and we are very happy, even surprised, at the level of quality medical care he is receiving. And, I am so amazed on a daily basis at his strength and endurance going through all of this. He's my hero.
2. It's been raining here for two days and nights, solid rain...I know it's the rainy season and all but, I for one am ready for some sun.
3. You may or may not know that in the U.S. my birthday frequently falls on Superbowl Sunday (weekend)...meaning that really the whole country celebrates my birthday! Cool, huh? So, for several years we had a party commonly know as ... the Diva Bowl. This meant that lots of friends would come over, guys would watch the game, girls would, well, be girls, and at halftime everyone would answer 20 "Diva Bowl" questions, 10 about the birthday Diva, and 10 about football; prizes were awarded based on who answered most correctly...they were some tense times particularly surrounding the question of if I played softball or not :)...but all in all I believe a good time was had by all. This year, seeing as Superbowl Sunday is on February 6th, I was wondering, WTH? No nationwide celebration...no Diva Bowl and this a milestone birthday and all. Then I found out Malaysia, not to be outdone by the U.S., has a Federal Territory holiday on February 1st! Yep, the whole of KL will be off work to celebrate...then everyone is off work for Chinese New Year on the 3rd and 4th. Meaning practically my whole birthday week is a holiday!!! I was thinking too bad I don't know anyone here to have a National Diva Day party!! So, this leads to...
4. Mr. Ken took me out on the weekend for some shopping...he really needed new pants, what with his whole "back to fighting weight look", and he let me buy some new clothes for my birthday. I went with a whole new look...let's just call it British India look because, well, that's where we shopped! It's a lot of loose cotton-y but dressy sort of look, super smart casual. Love it. Thanks Mr. Ken, shopping with you is ALWAYS fun! And, so, then...
5. Mr. Ken is taking Mr. Ken wife to the Ritz Carlton hotel in downtown KL for her milestone (30th) birthday tomorrow and Wednesday. Along with enjoying this luxurious hotel, we will be dining in the city (don't know exactly where yet but probably Q'Ba for my birthday dinner), plus, of course, there is a Spa Day booked in there somewhere. I guess if you can't have a Diva Bowl, or a National Diva Day party, then the Ritz is a pretty good substitute!
6. Desi is driving me crazy!!!!!!!!! Yesterday he stole a bag of Twizzler Nibs and ate all of them...today he has torn up kleenex and receipts from the trash. I don't know what all this acting out is about but he couldn't have had more attention this weekend. Crazy dog. My theory is his stomach hurts from the Twizzlers and is eating paper as some sort of dog Pepto Bismal. Or maybe the Nibs and receipts are a welcome taste change from the Geckos!
7. On Saturday the 5th we fly to Singapore, then on the 6th we fly to Perth. We have dinner plans with different friends every single night in Perth. Really looking forward to seeing everyone! Plus I've got my eye on a little side trip for me to visit Cohunu Koala Park where you can....HUG a Koala Bear. Yes, that's right, HUG. Seriously, that is on my 1000 Things to Do list. I have a thing for Koalas. But this does entail renting a car and driving an hour because the guide book says it's hard to get there without a car which is a shame because I really did have the train system down well...and driving, let's just say my track record over on this side of the world isn't so good. But, Australia is a lot like Texas in that it's BIG and there are real, normal parking lots...so maybe it won't be so bad. We fly back to Singapore on the 13th, and back to KL on the 16th. It should be a good trip.
8. The next trip we are looking at is South Korea. (?!) I know, right? The thing is, to get where Mr. Ken needs to go is about 2 days of travel. Fly into Seoul, then take another flight to somewhere I totally cannot pronounce, then take a BOAT to the shipyard in another town name I totally can't pronounce. You know when Mr. Ken promised me I could see the world with him I didn't really have in mind a shipyard in South Korea. I more had in mind, well please review #5. The only place to stay at the shipyard is the Samsung hotel, yes, owned by, Samsung, for all of their visitors. I want to visit Bangkok, I even want to go to China, and I guess I could be convinced I'd like Seoul but a shipyard on the southern most tip of South Korea. Not so much. At least it is as far opposite North Korea as you can get while in South Korea. That's certainly a plus.
9. Black Heels to Tractor Wheels the new book by Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, hits the shelves tomorrow. My sweet mommy (well, with a HUGE hint from me) ordered the book for my birthday and I will get it once we get back from Perth. I seriously cannot wait. She is hilarious, a link to her blog is posted on the left over there...she also has fantastic recipes!! I have no doubt I will be reading her book cover to cover in one sitting. I'm jealous that Angela (whose fabulous blog link is also listed on the left), will be reading the book tomorrow!!!
10. I feel like I should have some sort of prophetic thing to say on this eve of my (30th) milestone birthday...So, here it is, you can't have enough Spa Days. LOL! Did you really think I have anything prophetic to say???? Have you met me?
Really. Love, spajunkie.