Thanksgiving week working in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I am used to flying into and out of cities in a few days so to spend a whole week in KL has been a treat. I left the KSA on Sunday for a very long trip to KL. It is odd to me that for being the second largest city in Saudi Arabia, and given its approximation to Mecca, there are really very few direct flights to anywhere from Jeddah. To get to KL I had to fly beyond it to Hong Kong and then back. The only plus is the additional frequent flyer miles earned. I finally got to see The Time Traveler's Wife. I debated watching it only because I was flying when I read the book and remember crying profusely- really an embarrassment. I did the same with the movie. I then started reading a book I picked up in Turkey- Farewell A Mansion in Occupied Istanbul by Ayse Kulin that I couldn't put down. I love historical fiction! Another of my favorites of hers is The Last Train to Istanbul. I don't think you have to love Turkey to enjoy them.
By the time I arrived in KL it was Monday afternoon. I was here for a conference where we had an exhibition booth that was open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday- very long days on my feet schmoozing with people. All good though. I really forgot it was even Thanksgiving yesterday until I was ordering dinner last night- I went with the lamb chops and a chicken/grapefruit salad that was delicious. I will admit though that I missed the turkey and my mother's stuffing and apple pie.
I am not sure how many of you saw the international weather news but there were severe FLOODS in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday! Yes, unbelievable- happens every several years. I kept getting messages from KAUST that the whole campus was under water and closed for the day. People were advised to stay home. They had to evacuate students and staff from apartments and homes. Unfortunately I did not leave house keys with anyone so I have no idea what the damage may be to my home. I have visions of my beautiful Turkish carpets floating around the house. Apparently water was standing over two feet in places and the less-than-wonderful construction meant that drains were not working properly. Paul's second floor was flooded from his balcony and the ceiling on his first floor caved in from the standing water on the second floor. He is also traveling but his neighbors were able to enter his house. Today I was able to send an email requesting that maintainance enter my home to assess and repair any possible damage since I am not back on campus until December 6th. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
On the bright side, I got to spend some time with good friends here who I know from the year I lived in Bogota, Colombia. Laurence and Natalia have a two year old daughter, Irini, and are expecting another addition to the family in the spring. What's with all my friends having babies??!!They both teach at the International School of Kuala Lumpur and haven't changed a bit since I saw them just after Irini was born a couple of years ago.
Today I finally had some down time and my good friend Kevin Sim came to visit from Singapore. We basically did what all of my friends in the US did today... shopped!! There are big Christmas sales going on here as well ;-) And the decorations in the malls are way over the top! We drank a bottle of Dom Perignon for lunch at a bar in the middle of the mall and then went for street Chinese food for dinner. Just the way life should be!
Tonight I get to skype with John, Melissa, Cooper, Cole and Lily who are in CT visiting my parents-- can't wait to see them!! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday... thank you all for your love and friendship. It means the world to me!