A cat named Waja!!

So we arrived back in Penang from Australia and got right back to our routine, Rox off to work, Brenna back to school, and me back to my clients and training. On the first day back to school as Brenna and i walked through the entrance-way and visitor parking area of our condo, we heard a cat mewling...most likely a kitten, but it sounded awful. It sounded lonely, hungry and like it might be hurt...Brenna was beside herself. After I got Brenna on the bus i decided that I would see if it was in fact a kitten...There had been a car parked in one of the visitor spots for sometime and it sounded as though the mewling was coming from under it. Peering under the car. i saw a small skinny, dingy kitten, who quickly escaped my view, up into the engine compartment. I also saw that someone had posted a note on the car that looked rather faded, that they needed to be careful moving the car as there was a cat under it. Roxanne and I decided to see if mommy cat would come back before we would try and coax the little one out...Brenna again decided that was not a good idea, but agreed in principle. 3 days later, no mommy and still mewling...on our walk to the bus that morning Brenna was not going to be told no..."Daddy you have to rescue that kitten, he is so sad and he is going to die..." how can you say no to that...(well I know some of you might be able to, i could not). so that afternoon, i grabbed some tuna from the pantry and put a small amount on a piece of cardboard, and decided to see If I could get the kitten to come out, then maybe I could grab it...Getting it to come out and eat was no problem, grabbing it was another story. Although i tried, little kitten was not having it. Now I think Rox had taken the day as an at home work day, or she had a therapy appointment, either way she happened to be home before Brenna was. I asked to her to give me a hand, i would coax it out with food and she would throw a towel over it, that was the plan. We executed it perfectly and Roxanne had a small bundle in a towel and the Proton Waja, was cat free (The next day the car was gone so obviously the owner did not want to move it and possibly hurt the cat.) So upstairs we brought the small, dirty furry....

 

We decided it would be best to keep it in one of the shower stalls in an unused bathroom, that way it could use newspaper and clean up would be easy. We decided that we would contact the local shelters and see what we could do. Most of them although kind and concerned, expressed that they were overcrowded, and that it might be best for us to foster the kitten and then see if they could not help us to place it in a good home. So that was the plan...Initially. So "kitten" was given a bath, and taken to the Vet as soon  as we could get him there, and although dirty, dehydrated and hungry, he was generally in good health, the vet gave us some de-worming medication as a precaution and preventative, and we would be back in a month to start a series of vaccinations. "Kitten" stayed in his shower stall till we could find litter and litter boxes, and see if it would use them...Kitten took right to the boxes and after about 3 weeks we began to let it venture out in small stages, this is a big place and it was a very small kitten. Despite letting it venture beyond its shower stall during they day we would put it back there at night, after a while though, the shower stall was no longer necessary and "Kitten" had free run of the house. Kitten, who's name has now been changed to "Waja" which Brenna did not like at all. We thought about many names, but he was found under a Proton Waja, and Waja means strength (steel)in Bahasa Malay, and this little guy (we also now know its a male, after his last Vet visit) is very strong to have survived on his own for so long. He has doubled in size since we found him, so he is thriving here. He sleeps on Roxanne's pillow, or under the covers. He loves to play with everyone's feet, including our housekeeper Mrs. Devi... he will spend hours running around the house, and is quite a climber. He also LOVES to chase Brennas hamster, when we put him in his exercise ball. So Waja has become part of the family, we have no idea what to do with him when we go back to the states for 3 weeks over Christmas holiday, but we will figure something out. We have all become way too attached to him to give him up. He will be a living reminder of the experience we have had here in Penang...wonky tail and all!!

 

 

 

July Australia Holiday & 1/2 Marathon



Sydney Opera House.

So I was looking for a long distance race to go to and local friends had suggested that I try the Gold Coast Marathon, in Australia...so I started to look into that, and in doing so I found another smaller race in the Hunter Valley area of New South Wales. Anyway, really long story short, the flights were inexpensive, so we all decided to go.  It has been a dream of both Roxanne and mine to visit Australia and although I think for both of us it's more the Outback that is appealing, we weren't going to argue with a few days in Sydney and Newcastle instead. So excited and looking forward to some cooler weather (July is fall/winter in Australia, so MUCH cooler than Penang), we began our journey. After a 7 hour flight from Singapore, we touched down in Sydney, picked up a Holden Commodore (GM's Australian brand) and headed off to Newcastle.  The trip took about three hours and although we found it difficult to find the hotel initially, after some brilliant navigating and finally realizing every town and village in Australia has a "King Street", we arrived.  After a late lunch we set out for a walk around Newcastle Beach.  Newcastle, like Sydney, is right on the coast and thanks to a stiff breeze, the waves were up and it was really cool to see "big" waves (still nothing compared to the Gold Coast).

Newcastle Beach

you can almost hear the BOOM!

 

The next day we headed out to Hunter Valley Gardens, to pick up my race kit, check out the venue and do some further exploring. This is one of the wine regions of Australia, and the gardens themselves are supposed to be quite beautiful. We expected that during this time of year though it might be a bit less colorful than normal, but we were not disappointed.

 

Brenna, bundled up and rosy cheeked!

Moon gate garden, Hunter Valley Gardens,  NSW

 

Race starting Area

 

It was still a really beautiful walk in the crisp, cool air.  It was chilly, mid 50's, with a pretty good breeze. We had a good time wandering and my excitement for the run was building (you can read more about the run at http://www.afloridianrunnerinpenang.blogspot.com). We also took some time to venture into a couple of wineries and picked up a bottle of Shiraz and a cheese platter for some late night snacking.  On the drive out, we had seen road signs warning us of kangaroos, but we had yet to really see any.  However, as dusk approached we spotted a few out in the fields grazing with the horses. That was really cool- kangaroos are zoo animals for us and to see them in the wild like that was really just awesome, a highlight for sure!

 

Kangaroos!!

Gorgeous sunset

 

So after a 45 minute drive back to Newcastle and an early dinner we settled down for an early morning start, as the next day was race day! I was so happy to have Rox and Brenna there with me, but it was COLD...I would say mid 40's when we arrived, and it was lightly raining.  As the sun came up it warmed a bit, but the overcast skies for most of the race kept it cool.  I did not mind that one bit and the finish line was emotional for both Roxanne and I as this race marked the one year anniversary of my accident. I ran the race and ran it really well.   As proud as I was for my accomplishment, I think Roxanne was even more so!!

 

 

So with most of the day left and a clearing sky, we headed back to Newcastle.  Roxanne wanted to shoot more photos down by the beach and I needed to eat.  We had found a great restaurant, called "Elements", that made great coffee and organic "good for you" food, so after a quick shower for me and some brunch, we went a-wandering again.  The rain did us in eventually, but Rox got some great shots as Brenna and I napped in the car...We also had a chance to go into downtown Newcastle and although it was a Sunday and not much was open, it was still nice to see some of the older buildings and steep streets.  It reminded us of the downtown areas in Maine...

Rox can find a lighthouse anywhere!

Rainbow

The 1920's Newcastle Beach Ocean Baths...the Blue car is ours.

Rules!!

Rox drove up this street twice...just for fun!



It would have been nice to know more of the history of these old buildings.



The next morning after a quick breakfast we were off to Sydney. Other than the zoo and the Opera House we really had no plans. The first challenge was even getting to the hotel and the "discussion" between Roxanne and I about our difficulty locating said hotel made it even more evident that we would not do well at all on the TV show "The Amazing Race." Once we did find the hotel, we got our bearings and headed down to Darling Harbour (yes, "harbor" is spelled with a "u" in Australia and all UK-influenced countries).  As usual, we were starving by the time we set out and ended up stopping in the Hard Rock Cafe for an American style burger....expensive, but tasted like home!

 

After lunch, we headed over to the aquarium in Darling Harbour where we saw loads of beautiful fish and sea creatures.  It was a relaxing way to spend a rainy afternoon/ evening.  On the way back to the hotel, we stopped in a (touristy) shopping mall since Brenna's primary objective, even more than the zoo, was to find Moshi Monster stuff she cannot find in Penang.  We spied a magazine/ book shop and darted in....it was HEAVEN for Brenna Boo!!  Moshi school supplies, the latest magazines and tattoo packs - she was so excited we thought she would burst!  Mission accomplished (or appetite whetted...certainly not sated!).

 

The next day we woke to more rain, but decided it was our best chance to visit the Taronga Zoo, so off we went to the harbour to catch a ferry.  Although we arrived soggy, the rain kept the crowds away and the animals active!  We absolutely loved the zoo...so many animals within good view and in natural habitats.  We quickly fell in love with the koalas and spent quite a while watching their every move.  Rox counted up her photos of the koalas and realized she shot over 100 of these little guys alone (~400 total for the day)!  We also enjoyed the kangaroos, echidnas, (sleeping) Tasmanian devils and other great animals native to Australia.   The only native animal we didn't see was a platypus (sleeping)...

 

Brenna got to pet a wallaby!

 

Us with "Lincoln"



 

As the day went on, the weather cleared and we were treated to beautiful views of the Sydney Harbour from the zoo.  The following day was clear and bright - perfect for viewing the Opera House and a tour of the Harbour via ferry.  So after a quick breakfast, we headed down to Circular Quay to view the iconic Sydney Opera House.  It's just as lovely as it looks on TV!

 

 

Then it was on to the adjacent Royal Botanical Gardens for lunch.  The Gardens were beautiful and worth spending more time than we had...maybe on another visit....but after hours of walking, Rox was done and needed to get off her feet (or hip).   So we hopped the ferry and opted to take the long way back to Darling Harbour, which allowed us to see the rest of the sights and learn a little history from the on-board guide.  Timing was perfect as we were also treated to an amazing sunset...

 

 

 

What a fitting end to a fantastic trip...the next morning we were up early to return the rental car and make wings back to Penang.... we thoroughly enjoyed our trip and hope to visit "Oz" again soon... as Brenna said, it was "like home, but with an accent."