Penang - Some ordinary life

We love to see all the natural beauty of a new place, try the food, learn about the history/culture, etc. But, I think we are all learning is that a place really stays with you because the connections you make with the people who call it their home, whether born there or chosen.

Those connections came from moments like morning walks along Straits Quay. Chatting with people and their dogs, grocery shopping and just very ordinary things.

The kids joined a local homeschool soccer group several times a week and also a Friday Science group.

We went to a local home church and learned more about what it’s like to live here as an ex-pat. We even got to help some new friends put together an office chair from Ikea. How ordinary is that? What's not ordinary is the view from their living room!

But, I think one of our favorite ordinary things was our weekly Zumba group.

They met outside our grocery store in an open courtyard by the Straits Quay shopping area. It was led by Lisa Lim, Penang’s first Zumba instructor. Lisa did things old school; very intense, no stopping, no time for water, songs ran immediately into the next. It was 90s degrees, and I loved every minute of this sweat-fest. Half the time conservative muslim families would sit and watch us, or take video of our dancing. The kids were convinced that Zumba Lisa did not have all her bones because of how she was able to move. 

The whole family giving it a try. I'm so proud of the kids for hanging in there. This was after an hour of dancing.

Yes, I'm sweaty and don't have proper workout clothing. I don't care, ha!

This was such a fun group! They really welcomed us!