George Town, Penang, Malaysia - PART III

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Yesterday was a Malaysian holiday so we were fortunate to spend most of the day with both Jun and Ivan.  We went on a most spectacular funicular ride at Penang Hill.  The funicular is like a cable car but it rides on a track up the steep grade.  It looked more like a train with compartments that held @ 10 passengers each.  We love going in Funiculars and Cable Cars, so this was a highlight. 

Once on top we got to have a panoramic view of Penang as well as got to see the Owl and Camera Museum.  

Of course, after 'sightseeing', it's time for food.  We tried someone new (for us) called Lok-Lok.   Similar to hot pot but much better. 

You sit down at a table with dozens of different items on skewers with a pot of boiling water in the middle of the table. You take what you wish (1 or 2 or more skewers at a time), put them in the water to cook, remove when ready, dip in amazing sauces and enjoy eating. Keep repeating until you can’t move any more. They keep replacing the chosen items as you ‘graze’ and bring out more choices. At the end they count the skewers (which have different colors on them) and tell you what you owe. 

Then on to a Buddhist temple with a huge statue 

and smaller cute concrete statues (Disney, animals) as well as all the animals of the Chinese zodiac.  Jeff is the Year of the Rat; I'm the Year of the Snake; Jun and Ivan are  Year of the Rabbit

THIS ONE IS FOR MY DEAR MORGAN

 

Finally, back to the hotel for a little rest and then, just down the block, street food for dinner.  Noodle soup with chicken; Jeff added a few chicken wings.  Totally delicious and not too much after the Lok-Lok feast.

Today we've been 'on our own' and visited the Chocolate Museum and the Glass Museum.  No photos from the Chocolate Museum, but the Glass Museum was amazing.

Went to a local mall (also across a major street from our hotel) and shopped around.  Cheated on eating only local food by stopping at Subway for a sandwich.  

Tonight it's more Dim Sum from across the street - - loving the local food!

Life Is Good!

George Town, Penang, Malaysia - PART II

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Friday night we went across the street from our hotel for dinner at a little Dim Sum (and more) restaurant.

Jeff enjoyed two orders of chicken feet (one of his favorites). Also har kau (shrimp in glass noodle wrap), more prawns, spring roll, and pork dim sum (topped off with a pot of delicious tea). The most amazing part? All this (and a conversation with a lovely family at the next table) for less than $12. Glad we only had a very short distance to ‘roll’ home. We will be returning!

Saturday morning, our friend, Ivan, and his wife, Jun picked us up at our hotel for a weekend away.  Please note - We stop and eat approximately every 3 hours and one meal is better than the next.  Ivan brings us to places that only the locals go to and we have noodles, seafood, the most yummy chicken, more dim sum and delicious teas.

We shopped - malls and other shops - ate some more - stayed at their home over night and then started all over again.

Sunday - We visited an amazing Catholic church - it was originally built in the 1800's and then a second building was constructed more recently.  We're told that Pilgrims come to this church from all over the world.

We 'tried' to visit a park that has large cartoon characters all over it, but it was raining so hard, we couldn't even get out of the car.  

We're back at the hotel - watching 7 Days At Entebbe on DVD and relaxing. 


Life Is Good

George Town, Penang, Malaysia - PART I

Friday, September 14, 2018

We left home late Monday night for the airport.  After 19 hours in the air, 5 hour layover in Hong Kong - we arrived in the lovely state of Penang, Malaysia.  Since Jeff is assisted by a wheelchair in airports, we zip through all the lines, got our luggage and looked for our 'driver' from the hotel.  All kinds of people holding signs - not one of them say Grossman.  The wheelchair assistant is kind enough to ask if I have the drivers' number (which, of course I have - always in Executive Assistant mode) and he proceeds to call him and finds out he's waiting in a car outside the terminal.  Finally, success.

We're staying at the Kimberley Hotel which is very centrally located in the Capital City of George Town.  Our room may be a little small, it doesn't have any real drawers to put clothes (other than small night stands), but I was inventive enough to unpack what we need.  The staff are more than professional and friendly - I think the 'security' man (very young) is in love with us because he's originally from Nepal and Jeff had on a Mount Everest/Nepal tee shirt yesterday and the man thought we were so wonderful to have visited his home country.  We live in such a small world, right?

Our main reason for this adventure is to visit (as much a possible) with our friends Ivan and Jun who are from and live in Penang.  Jun is only available to spend time with us on weekends, but Ivan has been making sure we've been enjoying the best of local food and getting us organized to travel around the city to see all there is to see.  We so appreciate all their efforts to get us on the right track.  We feel comfortable enough walking to most destinations and food stalls/restaurants are everywhere.  The people here are so kind and accepting - they make us feel so at home!

Today we did stop at one Buddhist Temple - Jun is Catholic - Ivan is Buddhist - and it's always so much more enriching when someone can tell you about their own traditions in person.

Life is Good!

What A Gift I Received

Thursday, August 30, 2018

This summer, I had the honor of sharing loads of time with two of my 11 year old grandchildren - Kelly and Clayton.  I've always known they were great kids, but just hanging out together - no pressure - all kinds of spur of the moment conversations - sharing meals, laughs and even some sad moments = an amazingly loving gift.

I found out just how bright and articulate they really are.  When they don't understand something, they're not afraid to ask for enough information to get their heads around a subject.  Do you know that there are so many 'old sayings' that we use without thinking about it that the 'younger generation' has no conception of?  

As an example - we're watching a commercial and the expression "first generation" came up regarding going to college.  Quick explanation and you could see the lights in their eyes of understanding.

They accompanied me doing my errands - they understand my 'hug squad' at the grocery store (and even joined in).  There's not one thing that they were asked to do that they didn't do willingly and with a smile.

Please and thank you never needed to be pulled out of them - they had tact and manners well beyond their years.  

Of course I love all my grandkids - I'm so blessed - but these past few months have been a true gift to me because of the love they've shared with me.  

Now, I will admit that Kelly is now starting to tower over me - yes, she's at least 4 inches taller than me already, but I knew this day would come.  When Clayton starts his growth spurt, watch out world!

All four of my step-kids have their own parental style and I try not to meddle.  Whatever works for them, works for me.  I have no magic potion, especially since I had to learn 'on the run' when Jeff and I got together oh, so many years ago!

School is about to start, so daily routines will be changing, but I'll never forget the joy of this summer and hope they will have fond memories as well.

Life is Good!

Using Your Brain Is Underrated

Friday, August 17th, 2018

I'm blessed with friends who are much more computer literate than I, however, I hate to bother them with issues (busy lives, etc.)  So, when I have an issue, I try and troubleshoot the issue until I find a solution.

That's where I've been for the past 3 days.  

(In a nutshell) I have our email (which is an ancient att.net version) on my regular laptop using Outlook.  I kept getting error messages.  Couldn't get the messages to stop, so I deleted the email account from the computer with plans to just re-add it.  (It's worked before)  Silly me - I spent these 3 days trying and trying.  Finally found a AT&T Community Forum; posted my situation; someone posted a possible solution and VOILA - it worked.  Anyone ever heard of a Secure Mail Key (instead of using your password)? 

Live and Learn

My email is firmly back where it belongs and I'm patting myself on the back for sticking to it.  I love the sense of accomplishment!

Laughter IS The Best Medicine

July 2, 2018

Just returned from a Caribbean Cruise on the Caribbean Princess.  Left out of Ft. Lauderdale and stopped at Princess Cay, St. Thomas and St. Maarten.  We've cruised the Caribbean quite a bit, so no shore excursions necessary - just quick stops to purchase an item here or there.  Weather was superb all days!

Traveled with three other couple on this trip.  We spent sea days at the pool - sunning, reading, taking lots of dips in the pool, chatting and snoozing.  

The star of the trip was our dinners.  Let me just say that people approached us during the day asking if they could join our group at dinner since we seemed to be having such a wonderful time.  Yes, loads of laughter - sharing stories - learning more about each other.  Our servers were wonderful and quickly learned our quirks to make our evenings even more enjoyable.

Our friends are from very different walks of life - various ages - but are truly living life to the fullest.  That's the tie that binds us together.  They put up with my many hugs and returned them with vigor.

When I lost Jeff for two hours on the ship one day, they supported me and gave me the strength I needed to weather the storm.  Good advice, lots of love, and just good old common sense to the rescue!

I love to travel - meeting people - having conversations with total strangers that bring smiles to all involved.

Looking forward to our next adventure - a month in Penang, Malaysia starting in September.

By the way, Mildred was with us - kept seeing beautiful butterflies whenever we were on land.

Life is Good!

My Mother, Mildred, Is Always Watching - And I Love It!

Thursday, April 12, 2018

On Monday, April 9th, my cousin, Eleni, posted a photo of my Mother, Mildred, and Mildred's Mother (my Grandmother), Helen, which was taken in February, 1986.  

In January, 1986, Mildred had been diagnosed with lung cancer and on January 1st had half her lung removed.  She was recovering at home and my Dad had taken off time from work to stay with her.  Finally, she convinced him to go back to work and she'd take a trip down to Florida to visit her Sister, Irene, and Grandma Helen. 

What Eleni didn't realize, when she posted this photo, is that April 9th was the 32nd anniversary of Mildred's passing.  

Mildred - the strong, intelligent, gorgeous woman that I was proud to call Mom, left us at the age of 58.  Yes, much too young.  But the legacy she left will stand proudly.

Purple - her favorite color 
To know her was to feel her love - of family, of friends, of life
Psychic - absolutely and I always feel that she's watching us as our angel

On Tuesday evening, while watching the local TV news, Jeffrey mentioned that he was going to ask the VA medical staff if there was a way for him to get a Narcan pen - not for himself - but in case he could help someone else.  

Wednesday morning, the phone rings and it's a nurse from Jeffrey's VA Primary Care Doctor's staff stating that since Jeffrey is on some powerful pain medications, the Doctor has recommended that Jeffrey be given a Narcan pen.   WAIT A MINUTE - this is too much of a coincidence.  Yes, of course, Jeffrey accepted, but I immediately stated that Mildred had been involved in the whole process.

It's said that when you see a red cardinal (the male), it means someone 'from the other side' is sending you a message.  This week, a red cardinal has been visiting our deck for 'breakfast'.  Never stays long enough for me to photograph, but definitely has been visiting.
 
Thank you, Mildred, for always watching over all of us with your love.  It's not spooky, it's just proving that a Mother's love is endless.

Life is good.