Mucho Running Ahead

Only a few weeks left before the first of 2 half marathons that I am doing in June:

Laguna Half marathon in Phuket

&

Kuala Lumpur Half marathon

1st Anniversary of Manmums Kuala Lumpur

It’s hard to beleive that it has been 1 year since the inaugural gathering of our stay-at-home dads playgroup in Kuala Lumpur. Our league of gentlemen with children under their trusted care started out as 3 and was mentioned in my blog last year. It has now expanded to a dozen or so plus children from all corners of the globe.

To celebrate this auspicious occasion, an original member, Michael opened his home for a party complete with presents, dress up (for the children only!) and cake. It has been fantastic to meet up with a great bunch of lads and I have been lucky enough to make some great friends. Isaac certainly looks forward to the Manmums playgroup every Monday and furthermore, we will appear in a future edition of Expatriate Lifestyle, the photo shoot already having been carried out

The 2010 edition of the Manmum Olympics will finally get underway this Thursday with a session of 10 pin bowling.

We party all day in this house

The inmates are rebelling

Isaac very excited about his Ben-10 gift

Nutritious Manmum food

Charles & Kayla

Sometimes being a manmum can turn you a bit potty

Latest News

My blogging has been virtually non-existent this last month or so. Perhaps this is due to our house moving upon our return from NZ and being too busy with cocktails and cool lagers poolside at the new pad. I do not like to crow but this place is fantastic. My intention was to post dozens of photos to illustrate this but Lina suggests that this would create a security breach hence your imagination is required. Its very open plan with large doors opening out the front to a beautiful pool. Its the tropical oasis we have been dreaming about since we arrived in Malaysia and after 2 years in a condo with no deck, we have been appreciating it.

The other major happening in the Snell-Soto lives is Isaac’s change of kindergarten. He now attends Little Mandarin House in Bangsar. As the name suggests Mandarin is the lingua franca. It’s only been a week and our little fella is toughing it out, not the happiest leaving his mates at My Montessori. We have promised a trip to China so that he can tell the taxi drivers where we want to go, as a reward! He really has been thrown in the deep end as far as languages go of late: Lina is speaking Spanish, our helper, Gee communicates in Tagalog, and I am ensuring he will be proficient in Niew Ziilund!

Film Review: Shutter Island

Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio have collaborated for their fourth film in Shutter Island. DiCaprio plays a federal marshal on assignment at Shutter Island, an island mental asylum for the criminally insane, and what plays out is an illustration of movie class at its finest.

Every scene, indeed every shot, is quality and packed with stylised cinema. Much of this style is unquestionably Hitchcockian, however the layers that are going on owe far more than to one genre only. This material suits DiCaprio’s acting down to the ground. There is no room for subtlety here and we know that Leo can deliver that in spades. For all the acting competency on offer, including Mr Reliable, Ben Kingsley, the accolades belong squarely with the technical staff, and Scorsese himself who have created a psychological, thriller, detective, drama, with a fair licking of horror to boot.

Its a rollicking journey: and an enjoyable one. It will be interesting to see if the notorious short memory spans of the Academy voters will extend to Shutter Island, this long out from the 2011 Oscars.

Back to New Zealand

This week I am settling back into KL life after a 2 week dose of kiwi-living.

It’s always good catching up with my family, and we were also able to visit several friends including Nettie, Alannah, Mike, Luke, Marie, Rob, and Amy. The visit was timed to attend Graeme and Cathy’s wedding in Mangawai which was very special. Graeme has been a great friend and we have shared many good times, and I would not have missed it for anything.

The Steer family bach in Pauanui gave us the taste of the New Zealand that I love; quiet, laid back, and beautiful. The coastline winds round from estuary to surf beach and makes for a brilliant walk. Many thanks to Mike for the use of this accommodation.

It is unlikely that we will return for a least 2 years so we really soaked it all in. I am in no doubt that we have an incredibly unique and special place down there, and the 2 year absence only reinforces this. Like everywhere, its changing, and will never be like it was ‘in the good old days’ (if there ever was such a thing), but for all its faults, the kiwi spirit of fairness, common sense, groundedness (is there such a word?), and friendliness, is unmatched.

The beautiful Pohutakawa flower

Isaac's cousins

Kite flying on Pauanui beach

Dads, vege patch. Corn on the cob

Playing with Jake

Getting down and dirty. Thats how we play in Aoteoroa

Tomatos from Dad's vege patch

Rob with his kids, Charlie, and Bobby

There was a cold wind coming through this day at Pauanui

Pauanui Beach

BFM Radio Interview

Here is the podcast link for an interview I participated in about physiotherapy.

http://www.bfm.my/jonathan-snell-jason-moriarty-ace-physiotherapy-physiotherapy-physiotherapy-and-everyday-life.html

Another Photo from Tom, Dick & Harry's Fun Run

Go girl - check the dude looking over his shoulder. He can hear the foot steps!!