Fresh Start, New Year!

Who doesn't love September? For those who base their annual calendar around the school schedule it almost feels like the ringing in of a 'New Year'. Refreshed from extended holidays, 'new year' resolutions have been made and the mental 'clock' has been reset. Overall, it's been one for the books!

First, I am getting a do-over with my students. Both myself and my eclectic group of children have embarked on Year Two together. It was the smoothest first week of school to date, and I am excited to continue to watch the little grasshoppers hop...seriously, one month away from them offers a fresh perspective as to how bright and special each of them are! I know it sounds cliche, but for a student who wasn't reading when they left in June to casually mention "Did you know there is a two, to AND too!?" I almost fell off my chair! On an even brighter note (as if that description of my day-to-day couldn't get any more sun-shiny yellow) my newest colleague, Mr. Tyler has brightened all days! I still get shocked when I look up from some playground drama to see Tyler just strolling by.

As always, the first weekend before the school year starts is Malaysia's Independence Day...filling our deeply ingrained need for a 'labour day weekend' before heading back to school. Hutchy had rented a 14 seater van (which none of us were sure he could handle) and we were set to cruise through the night. Destination; Kapas Island. I had my quiet reservations about heading back to the island where I had picked up dysentry in the Spring, however, I hand-sanitized like a Mo, questioned the source of each ice cube, eventually said *^% it, and made it out unscathed....save the horrendous jellyfish stings. As most of our regular crew was still away on summer vacation, we got to know some new peeps and caught up with some old faithfuls. If time has proved anything, three days on a deserted island makes fast-friends.

Although things are fresh, new and exciting, as they often are in September, the city of Kuala Lumpur is currently none of those things. Since we have returned back, the haze levels have been fluctuating from moderate to hazardous due to the out of control burning of forests in Indonesia (all in the name of palm oil). It feels like we haven't seen the sun shine in days and days, face masks have become my new favourite accessory, school has been closed, and generally we're going a bit shack wacky  (with a hint of asthma) from all the indoor living (how indoor cats do it, I'll never know).

Rooftop view pre-haze & now during the seemingly perma-haze

 So what do you do with your time when the 'fresh air' is deemed poisonous? Well it's a bit like being in the deep freeze of winter-- You stay inside--We play poker, go to movies, spas, order-in, wander the mall...and celebrate fabulous people! With heavy hearts we have bid adieu to our original KL bestie, Sweet Dee. After working, living and traveling with Danielle for the past two years, it's hard to  imagine life in Malaysia without our ever-constant, over-ordering, drink-spilling, pun-loving, bright smiled, third wheeling, social butterfly. She and Damian are off on the next adventure!....However, not before one more night of Regalia nonsense was had to send them off <3

Adios amiga ♥♥♥ We love you!

 On the docket for the coming months...Thailand, Malaysian Oktoberfest, Deepavali, Indonesia and India! Anyone planning to be wandering around these parts? Let us know, we'll plan a weekender :)

Recipe: Butter Chicken Masala

I've always liked to think of myself as one day becoming the type of person who cooks, shares and holds onto recipes. Currently, I am not someone who does even one of those tasks. About twice a year my Mom gets a phone call asking for the recipe to her chocolate chip cookies, and even that can yield iffy results. So in an attempt to be the Betty Crocker adult I have idealized (cue eye-rolls for gender role stereotypes), I give you the recipe for Butter Chicken (or paneer) Masala!

 Ingredients
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp ginger garlic paste

2 tbsp oil
2 tbsp butter
1 bay leaf
2 green chilies
1 tsp red chili powder
2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped&pureed
1/2 tsp garam masala powder
1 tbsp coriander powder
1/2 cup full fat milk
1/2 cup water
Salt to taste
250grams cooked chicken or paneer
Toasted cashews to garnish

Method:
1. Blend onion, ginger and garlic into a paste. Set aside.
2. Blanch and puree the tomatoes. Set aside.
3. Heat cooking oil and butter in non-stick pan on medium heat.
4. Saute onion paste and bay leaf until light golden brown- approx. 4-5 min.
5. Add green chili and red chili powder. Saute for 30 seconds.
6. Add tomato puree. Cook until oil separates from the puree- approx. 3-4 min.
7. Add coriander powder and garam masala powder.
8. Add milk, water and salt. Cook until oil separates on the surface- approx 4-5 min.
9. Add chicken or cheese. Cook until gravy is desired consistency- approx 2 min.
10. Garnish with fresh cream and toasted cashews.
___________________________________________________________________________________

To someone such as myself this recipe seems a bit ambitious, but trust assure, it's well worth it!
Seriously though, if for nothing else, make this dish to emulate Emeril with all those spices; "Bam!" a little chili, "Bam!" some coriander.

What's the worst that can happen?!
Happy Birthday, Ty -_-

Railay Beach, Krabi

There is always a reason why the beaten path is so well traveled;  Thailand is a perfect example. When we told friends that we were headed to Krabi, we either got one of two reactions. 1) Ew, Why? or 2) Go straight to Railay Beach. With such consistent reviews, we booked into a resort and headed directly for Railay. Thailand hotspots are always great; they're comfortable, clean and convenient. The food is great, and the cocktail list is extensive.

We left our condo at the ridiculous hour of 4am, but it was all worth it when we found ourselves waiting for a longtailed boat, drinking our lattes beside the Andaman Sea by 8am. As we rounded the shores of Krabi we were in awe of the limestone formations and cliffs jutting up through the sea. It was a picture-perfect, all-too-Thai tourist moment. Again, there's a reason why these places are inundated with tourists (unless you are touring during the rainy season, which I highly recommend).

As it was low-season, we managed to snag a beauty of a bungalow in a nice resort for a decent price (although it seems that we are always willing to spend a bit more on accommodations when we are away for just a few days). For the next four days we were lucky enough to dip in the pool when the emerald green sea was just a bit too tepid, sip on cocktails, and finally got to catch a Muay Thai fight.

Usually we are hard-up to find the odd Canadian rambling around KL amongst crowds of Australians and Brits, but it was Canadian night at Railay Beach. As it was a **slightly younger crowd of travelers, we sat back and watched the pre-fight entertainment including girls and guys volunteering their bras and boxers in exchange for free beers, and an amateur boxing match which concluded with (and I could not make this up) one of the Canadians exclaiming 'It's like I'm wearing a fuckin' parka in here, eh?' There couldn't have been a moment where I was more proudly Canadian. 

 Oh, except for being Canadian in Malaysia right now in light of the au naturel Canucks who are moving mountains (check out the National Post's article). Not caring to take a stance on either side of the debate, I will say this; However oblivious, stereotypical or tacky things can get (we too have had our time to shine), I can say that the Canadians we have run into abroad have, at the very least been harmless, void of ill-intentions and always up for a good time (however misguided that maybe). And for the bad-seeds out there, have some regard for the cultures you've traveled across the world to experience- Just as in retrospect it wasn't cool to peroxide your hair in high school, this too shall pass, Slim Shady. You will return to the real-world and realize you looked and were acting like a tool. Try to save the streaking for the Jays home-opener, eh?

I've digressed... So after a few days of Thai curries and a healthy dose of Canadian-isms, Railay Beach held up to its recommendations. Its got all the great bits there is to love about Thailand compacted into a scenic little peninsula...just enough distance for a cheeky naked mile ;)