Rain…we’re sitting under a tin-roof hawker stand, eating Thai food with a good friend and a visitor of hers from Russia. It had been one of those sultry days, the air thick with that virulent Malaysian humidity that causes your shirt to dampen and cling to your skin. The whirling fans above do little but make noise. And then a subtle change….the air begins to move. Gently at first, you feel it on the hairs of your arms. Little by little it intensifies and with it come the clouds, out of nowhere, clouds that darken the sky. Then thunder, atomic bomb sounding thunder. The kind that makes you want to run for your bed and pull the covers over your head. The skies alight with flashes of lightening, like hundreds of Paparazzi strobes going off at once. You can smell the static. And slowly the rain begins….drop at a time on the tin roof, pat, pat, pat. The rhythm increases and soon you cannot hear the person sitting next to you. You look outside and there is only grey, heaven and earth are joined. Rain so thick and heavy it is like a cloak covering our building You hope somewhere an ark is being built. And then the process reverses…the thunder rolls away. The rain returns to a pitter-patter, the wind dies down, and sunshine returns. Your arms once again glisten with perspiration. Conversation resumes, life goes on.

Rain in Malaysia is like no where else. Frightening and magnificent, life giving and awe inspiring. We shall never forget the Malaysian rain.

Rain from our deck.

We received an invite to the Marine Corps Ball. We had to say “Yes”. Tickets were a hot item…the entire ball sold out in less than 24 hours. For both of us it meant an opportunity to be surrounded by a slice of America. The ball is a birthday celebration for the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps contingency at the Embassy go all out to make this a memorable event. When you enter the ballroom the first thing you see is the fallen comrades table. An empty chair and a single lone table draped in black that signifies all the fallen comrades who were not able to be with us tonight. On the table was a single lighted candle to remind us of the flame of eternal life…that the memory of the fallen comrades will be with us forever. A Purple Heart Medal is displayed to commemorate the shedding of blood and the ebb of life in battle. The “dog tags” are blank, as they could bear the name of any Marine in attendance. The dinner setting was inverted, they break bread with us in spirit only. Quite moving.

The Guest of Honor was the US Ambassador to Malaysia, Joseph Y. Yun. He gave a moving speech and choked up when he spoke of the sacrifice his wife’s uncle gave at the battle of Guam. This distinguished man and seasoned speaker and diplomat was brought to tears just by sharing the memories of what his uncle endured, the lasting scars and the feeling of pride for service rendered. The Guest Speaker was Lieutenant General John A Toolan Jr., Commander of the Marine Forces in the Pacific. He reminded us of the brotherhood of the Marines, the sacrifices given, the readiness to serve on a moment’s notice. These speeches along with the playing of the Marine Corps Hymn and the fight song of the US Navy put the entire crowd in a patriotic mood.

Some of the Embassy Marines

US Ambassador to Malaysia, Joseph Y. Yun and Lieutenant General John Toolan

Following the speeches was the traditional cutting of the cake…the 239th birthday cake. Such symbolism. A sword is used to cut the cake as a reminder that the Marines are a band of warriors, committed to carrying the sword, so that our nation may live in peace. The first piece of cake is presented to the Guest of Honor. The second piece is presented to the oldest Marine present, signifying the honor and respect accorded to experience and seniority. The eldest Marine then passes a piece of cake to the youngest Marine present, just as for 239 years the experienced Marines have nurtured and led young Marines. (Don’t tell, but ahead of time I saw the Marines slice four pieces of cake with a kitchen knife, and then fit them back into the sheet of cake. Seems cutting a cake with a sword is not that simple so by making the cuts ahead of time they just need to use the sword to pick up the pieces….shhhhh)

Slicing the cake

Next came dinner. For a catered affair, it was exceptional. Started with appetizers, followed by a creamy pumpkin soup, a sorbet, beef/chicken/or fish, and desert. Beer, water, wine or soft drinks available to drink.

The rest of the night consisted of dancing, drinking, more dancing and more drinking. Heidi and I actually left early as we were just so tired. A fun night, a chance to get all fancy-smansy, and a time to remember our country. God Bless America !!! Semper Fi !!!

International Festival I wrote about International Festival last year, an annual event we have here at our school. It is a gargantuan undertaking. Over 50 food booths…each country selling their national food. Bouncy castles, haunted house, face painting, henna tattooing, and crafts for the kids, entertainment, a parade of flags and lots and lots of vendors all intent on making your pocketbook thinner. Heidi and I served time in the USA booth hawking hamburgers, hotdogs and cheeseburgers. Heidi found some amazing jewelry, and I found another painting. Lovely day.

Parting shot: The Petronas Twin Towers lit up with blue lights in honor of diabetes. Lovely sight to see.

Petronas Towers in diabetic blue