The Article in 'Expatriate Lifestyle'

Here is the link to the online version of the magazine, 'Expatriate Lifestyle'. You may remember an earlier post talking about our interview and photo shoot though a friend of mine who writes for the magazine.

Here tis......

http://www.expatriatelifestyle.com/latest-articles-feb09.html

Whats on the telly?

One noticeable change in our lifestyle since moving to KL is the decrease in television viewing. This is not due to all those research studies bandied about these days that tell us the box makes us dummer. The real reason is that the telly here is rubbish. Even the pay for view. Even the sports is ordinary as I have only a passing interest in the English Soccer which takes up the majority of sports coverage in Malaysia.

So our TV watching style has changed . We are now TV series DVD watchers and usually average a 1 hour episode each night. The most recent series completed is 'The Wire' Season 1. Given that they have completed season 5 in the States, that must make us 'late adopters' to coin a tech phrase.

'The Wire' is a crime drama set in Baltimore, USA. This was highly recommended by some English friends who have not put a foot wrong with their previous offerings, and so despite my low enthusiasm for crime drama (all have been disappointing since "Lets be careful out there".........the outstanding 'Hill Street Blues'. I blame it on force fed 'The Bill' when I was living in the UK), we ordered it at our local. Very good I must say. Despite only understanding every second word (it was a dialect of Street Baltimorese that I am not familiar with), it still kept me fixed. Afterall it is the mood and tone that really keeps us all interested whether it be a book, film or TV drama. It's a slow burner but by episode 4 its humming. Unlike other crime series, the bust is not completed conveniently within the 60 minutes less ads. And so the journey continues through 13 episodes, leaving us thankful that there are 4 more seasons to look forward to.

Our current series is 'Skins' - Season 1. A British drama following a group of 17 year old urbanites in London doing things every typical teenager does NOT do (I hope not anyway). Beverley Hills 90210 - British version THIS IS NOT. The lead from 'Slumdog' features in his acting debut and this is typically well written British fare.

We have watched the first 3 episodes of 'Flight of the Conchords' - Season 2. I watched this with some trepidation. To follow up the great 1st series, which afterall, was 10 years + in the making in little old Wellington, must have been a huge feat and I am pleased to say - I'm loving it so far. Its funny - sure there are no great songs like 'Business Socks', however the writing and creativity is still outstanding and there is still that sense of.......excuse the phrase please......keeping it real. Aoteoroa style!

Water Baby

Isaac is still loving the water and his swimming continues to improve. He is able to swim and come up for breath several times but the main thing he likes doing is playing. A particular favourite is this balancing act with an arch back for dramatic effect. This one always attracts the attention of the locals and Isaac has become quite a celebrity around the condo complex. There is always someone for him to show off in front of where we are living.

Its a lovely pool and grounds, and is an oasis in the middle of a very busy part of KL. In the background of this photo we get a view towards the Twin Towers (when it is'nt too hazy).

For those without kids - look away

Despite Mum and Dad's best efforts to procrastinate the toilet training, Isaac has taken it upon himself to start the process. Its early days but so far so good, and no accidents.

A good read, followed by praise afterwards seems to do the trick.

Cheers to milestones!

Running - The Melawati 10KM

My major form of exercise currently is running. Running in KL is a mixed bag of good and not so good. KL is a crisscross of highways as I have mentioned in previous posts and it is difficult to run far before you are soon sharing the road with 6 lanes of rampaging steel which have zero tolerance for the crazy Gwai Lo (Cantonese for foreigner/westerner) bloke on foot. It is not illegal to run on a motorway/freeway, just very stupid. So careful route planning is required.

On a Saturday morning I have made a habit of ‘The Long Run’. It starts at Lake Gardens (termed by many as the lungs of the city), and is a beautiful, central space that runs through some equally pleasant, quiet bush clad neighbourhoods. They call one of these suburbs (Bukit Tunku), the Beverley Hills of KL, complete with celebrities and the Malaysian well connected.

Usually, my only company is a few family groups of monkeys that scurry across the powerlines.

It is important to start early here. 7 o’clock is ideal as it is still a balmy, but very manageable 23 degrees and dead calm. No slogging into a raging southerly/northerly/ wherever the bloody wind is howling from that day, as is the case back home. By 9.30 on a Saturday I am home again and Lina will have surfaced.

With 2 months of decent running under my belt I took the plunge and entered my 1st competitive race in Malaysia. The world renowned?! 2009 Melawati 10 KM. The run was a slog to be fair, but the event was great and I got a medal……….just like everyone else!

As everyone knows, I am a sports nut and love the atmosphere that a collective sporting experience provides, anywhere in the world.

My next race is the New Balance Pacesetters 15 KM in May, with tentative plans to compete in the June KL ½ marathon. My definite goal is the Angkor Wat ½ marathon in Cambodia raced in December. The route follows the famous temples and raises funds for the many people that are still affected by landmines in Cambodia.