Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

First let me apologize for not posting earlier.  I really have no excuse other than in my free time at home, I try to study Chinese.  I feel that in order to feel more comfortable I must learn the language or at least know how to get around and order food and have a basic conversation with a local. 

So, a lot has happened since my last blog.  The big this was the trip to Malaysia.  On Sunday, after working all day at Beihang University for NFL China, I had to come home and pack and get to the airport by 11:30 for my 1:30am flight to Kuala Lumpur.  Of course I did make it!  Though I was worried about finding a taxi out at my place at that time of night.  Luckily, I only waited about 10-15 minutes and one came by; I flagged him down and I said "T-san" as I got in the back seat.  (T as is terminal, san as in Chinese for 3)  The cabby repeated, and I said "Dui." (Yes)  Off we went to what I hoped was the airport.  Luckily, 15 minutes later and 75 kuai later, I was at Terminal 3 checking in.

Now, if you know me, you know I am a horrible packer; meaning I like to pack as much as possible so that I have many possibilities-after all, you never know which outfit you really want to wear until you are in the moment. With this trip being so short, I tried to limit myself to two pair of shoes (the pair I wore on the plane and a dressier pair for going to the clinic) though I also wanted to take my flip flops; but I refrained.  I also only packed a pair of slacks, and two pair of shorts along with a pair of swimming trunks (just in case) as well as a couple tee-shirts and a couple polo shirts.  Along with the other necessities, that was pretty much it.  I was able to fit all that in my small duffle bag (Gamecock of course, that my mom had made for me at the beginning of college for me to travel with for football and the other sports!)-so I was extremely proud of myself!  Because of this, I didn't have to check any baggage!  This was the first time I have ever gone somewhere on a plane and not checked a bag!  It was actually a pretty good feeling. 

The flight was just at 6 hours long and I think I slept 4.5 of those 6 hours.  Breakfast was served an hour before landing and it consisted of chicken and noodles and some veggies.  Who eats that for breakfast?  I want a bagel with an egg and bacon and cheese; but not on this flight.  Landing into KL, it was like landing on a tropical island, just minus the water.  Palm trees were everywhere. We exited the plane and got to customs and the agent asked what my purpose was, and I replied "just visiting!"  Stamp, stamp and I was through.  

The KL airport is about an hour away from the actual city of Kuala Lumpur, so you have to get a taxi to get you there.  My taxi driver knew exactly where to go when I said "KL Concorde,"  right smack-dab in the middle of the city.  The Concorde is a 4-star hotel with a Hard Rock Cafe attached.  Out of my window I could see the KL Tower and on the other side of the building I could see the Petronus Towers.  

So, why Malayasia.  Well, in KL there is a physician who has come up with this interesting technique of regrowing articular cartilage, where many doctors have said that you can't regrow that type of substance.  He has proven that you can…and in fact has done it in my Athletic Director at the school I am working with.  We (my AD and I) thought it would be a great idea for me to meet the surgeon and the rehab team so that I would know how to rehab him back in Beijing.  It was amazing to be able to meet and talk to a physician who defied odds, and now his technique is being introduced and processed through the FDA in the United States.  Cutting edge, and it really makes sense.  Anyway, I was off to the the Clinic to meet everyone as soon as I cleaned and washed up from the flight.  

The clinic was so nice.  Very spacious, and great views.  The folks there were extremely kind and accepting and took me in and around to show me everything.  I met the physician, Dr. Saw, and he was great as well.  He told me what he did to my AD and what was happening now and what the procedure was from this point forward.  He showed us the MRI of immediately after the surgery (back in June) and then the one done that morning.  It was startling to see that there was new growth already!  Here I am seeing proof of something I have been told couldn't happen.  I was amazed. I could go into what actually happened, but I am already getting long-winded; so if you are interested, send me an email or leave a comment and I can get you that information!

After spending the day in the clinic, we were back to the hotel and I was out to see the immediate sites of KL and around my hotel.  I took a few photos and went to a mall…a huge mall; makes the one I wrote about in an earlier post look puny!  After walking around a bit, my AD was feeling up to dinner so we just ate at the Hard Rock Cafe.  I decided to try something different so I got a Lamb BBQ sandwich.  Lamb is definitely a different flavor-that added to the bbq flavoring and it was an interesting mix; not bad, but not something I will order again.  

The second day, Tuesday, I spent half the day back in the clinic, and the other half out sight-seeing.  My AD told me of a place to visit, Batu Cave.  This is a Hindu Temple site.  I am so glad that I went.  At the entrance to the caves is the world's largest statue of Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war and victory.  It is an amazing site, of course there are photos.  The other really cool thing was all the monkeys roaming the site.  They weren't in cages, they were everywhere…and if you didn't watch out, they would steal or try to steal your bag or anything they could get. (I got some great pictures of them as well!)  After spending an hour hiking up the 272 stairs and exploring one of the caves, I came back to the city.  

Back in KL I wandered to a mall that was a few blocks from my hotel.  The mall was called the Pavillion, and is quiet possibly the biggest mall I have ever been to.  I have never gotten lost in a mall, until I visited KL.  For some reason, I could not navigate this mall, it was huge and had so many different wings and levels.  I think I managed to see it all, but I'm still not sure.   Dinner this night was at a Thai restaurant in the restaurant area of town; there was every type of cuisine available there, but we went with Thai for some reason…good choice as it was delicious. 

Wednesday, my boss left early to go to the clinic before hitting the airport to Bangkok.  I decided to do a double-decker tour of the city and get off at the market to try a pick up some chintzy souvenirs.  The tour was great; it took about 2.5 hours.  I did get off at the Central Market, but was very disappointed in the selection of gifts, so I didn't really get much from Malayasia, except some awesome photos (in my opinion.). 

I had to leave KL at 3 in the afternoon to make the flight back to Beijing.  I did get home around 1 am and was happy that I was able to navigate the airport, and the taxi ride home without having to call anyone for help.  Back at work on Thursday and Friday, all was back to normal.  Nothing really new to tell.  Saturday was pretty much the same as well.  Sunday, I did have to work again with the NFL China and I found out that Joe Montana may be making a visit to Beijjng in October!  I am not a huge Montana fan, but hey the man is a legend and I am excited for the possibility of meeting him.  If this happens, there will be a photo of proof!  

This weekend we have our first HUGE tournament on campus, WABX to the MAX!  This tournament will have a Jazz performance piece, and Rugby, Tennis and Volleyball round-robin tournaments.  (Both men's and women's of each sport)  Needless to say, Friday and Saturday I will be busy!!!!  But I am happy that another ATC from IWS will be coming up to help on Friday and partly on Saturday.  She will also be covering NFL China on Saturday due to a change in schedule.

Other than all of this, I am still subbing and trying to plan my Christmas vacation.  I have decided not to go somewhere big for October holiday, but a couple friends and I will do some quick day trips out of the city each day to other cool cities nearby.  More on all that later.

Sorry for the long post-I will try to do better about length and consistency of posts.  Thanks to everyone who reads and invests your time into my life!!!