Nancy's KL Journal August 4, 2007

I’ve been in my “condo” for a week now and am beginning to feel settled. I have food in the refrigerator!

As for utilities I’m set on the essentials - home phone, electricity, water, and Internet. I’ve called about installation for ASTRO cable so I’d get CNN, BCC, etc. and could see the news.

As for the layout we have fair sized living and dining area, a large master bedroom, a good sized guest bedroom with 2 twin beds and the port-a-crib for Rania, and a third bedroom that I’m using as a den sewing room. We can use it as a 3rd bedroom if needed. Each bedroom has a bath connected to it so I have 3 baths with showers. The best view in the house is from the shower in the master bedroom – the window looks right out on the Petronas twin towers.

Work has been lots of meetings. I’ve met my library staff and need to have a meeting with them soon – when all of us are together. They seem to function fine in their jobs with little direction from me. Students start on Wed. the 8th.

I’m starting to meet the returning teachers at ISKL – they are a talented and diverse group. The HS/MS is a sprawling campus. There are buildings connected to buildings because of additions through the years as the school grew. Enrollment is at an all time high of about 600 HS and 360 MS. It’s humbling to meet the staff and learn of their backgrounds. They come from all over the world.

Some things are similar to Kenya. Last night I moved a box and a gecko ran up the wall. I was happy to see him as he eats mosquitoes.

We’ve had presentations on culture shock. Once in a while the there is a strange clash of cultures. Thursday eve I drove to Doug and Tracy’s for dinner (20 min.) from my place. I stopped at a grocery store called Giant. While I was shopping I realized the loudspeaker had a voice telling a story. It ended with “This is James Dobson from Focus on the Family and this segment has been sponsored by Kentucky Fried Chicken.” It was so strange to hear this in a supermarket in a grocery store in a 60% Muslim country.

Doug and his family and Anita Stansell and I all went to an International church here last Sunday. It was truly international with worshippers from all over the world. There were about 250 to 300 people there. I plan to check out one other International Church this weekend.

I have been driving some. It’s working out OK. I try to get in one lane and stay there so the motorcycles can weave in and out and not bother me. Turn signals are important here to let the motorbikes know if you’re turning as they pass on the right and left.

-Nancy