KL American - October 2014 by klamerican

PP 4353/05/2013 (033269)

October 2014

american

A Publication of the American Association of Malaysia KL American October 2014

KL American October 2014

Contents AAM October 2014 Advertisers Index Advertisers

(A-Z)

Page

Aidea Art

p.21

Asian Tigers Transpo

Back Cover

CAM

p.28

City Motors

p.21

Crown Relocations

Inside Front Cover

Cynthia Reed

p.27

Eastern Carpets

Inside Back Cover

The Expat

p.7

Eva Airways

p.20

IBU

p.27

IWAKL

p.28

Latin Ladies

p.28

MANZA

p.28

RSDHC

p.30

Tropicana Medical Centre

p.22

6 7 8 9

Membership

AAM Messages

Community Service

What’s On at the AAM

16 Digital Shoebox: Four Fun Days in Palau

18 21

Perspectives: Moving Tales

Perspectives: Welcome: My AAM Experience

22 23

Health Care in Malaysia

Diversions: Halloween in KL

Editorial

Help Wanted / Weekly Activities

St. Andrew’s Cross Spider, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Singapore; Photo by Michael Nunis. Happy Halloween!

President’s Message

Memories

AAM Community Bulletin Board

AAM Calendar

24 KL American October 2014

President’s Message Hello Everyone! I hope you enjoyed the Welcome Back Shrimp & Crawfish Boil as much as I did. Now that “fall” is fully under way, the AAM is busier than ever. I have an amazing Board of Directors that continues to make great headway every day, especially with the promotion of Peggy Uptigrove as our new Second Vice President. Of course that means we are looking for a new Membership Director so if you’re interested in joining our dynamic and diverse team, please let me know. The search for a new “villa” is going strong and we hope to usher in the New Year with a new location in the KLCC area. We will keep everyone updated as we secure a location, and if you want to join in the fun, our relocation committee can always use an extra hand. I am extremely proud of the continued progress of the Association and hope you have been enjoying the new events, activities, and tours. I hope to see you all at the Pink Lady High Tea on the 15th of October in support of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia. And don’t forget to hand in any of your gently used items for next month’s Bazaar White Elephant. Let’s continue to make some great memories together through the AAM.

Stephanie Emilo

Board of Directors President Stephanie Emilo President.aam@gmail.com 1st Vice President Nicole Fitch FirstVP.aam@gmail.com 2nd Vice President Peggy Uptigrove SecondVP.aam@gmail.com Secretary Ann Blacklock Secretary1.aam@gmail.com Treasurer Donna Sawyer Treasurer.aam@gmail.com Publications Director Kim Starr Editor.KLAmerican@gmail.com

President

Major Events Director Sherlyn Bourne Majoreventsdir.aam@gmail.com

Corporate Partners For 2014 Presidential

Membership Director Vacant Membershipdirector.aam@gmail.com Community Service Director Marilyn Kindy Communityservice.aam@gmail.com Corporate Relations Director Heather Weber Corprelations.aam@gmail.com Bazaar Directors Lovie Alptunaer and Mary Mantei Bazaardirector.aam@gmail.com

Liaison Directors

Liberty

American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce Yvonne Miranda ISKL Hilda Alposilva

Eagle AMCHAM

Coca-Cola Malaysia

KL American October 2014

Halliburton Santa Fe Relocation Services

US Embassy Jessica Schnepple Samantha Elfmont General Manager Ann Tan

Editorial

Moving right along...

American

Well, here we are in October, that short respite between the dog days of summer and all the beach going, holidaymaking fun that brings, and the craziness (and stress) of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Back in the States, autumn is my favorite season with its cool, crisp days and the changing color of the leaves; but as October winds down, and the days get shorter and the trees get barer, I am always filled with melancholy and angst. Where did the time go? What have I accomplished this year? In Malaysia, where the trees are forever green and the days are more-orless the same, I don’t feel that same brooding sadness. Here, it’s more like a slap - OMG! It’s October! The holidays are coming – ack! Do I really have to make another thirty-hour flight? But then I remember, it’s October in Malaysia, lah, and I don’t have to wear socks!

Magazine Team

Editor Kim Starr Photo Editors Judy Pescio Kim Starr Contributors Randee Duncan Stephanie Emilo Ngosong Fonkem Marilyn Kindy Latisha Merican Michael Nunis Debz Rafferty Kim Starr David Terenzio Peggy Uptiglove Proofreaders Randee Duncan Stephanie Emilo Marilyn Kindy Helen Mastache Stacy Rushton Ann Tan Peggy Uptigrove

Things keep moving right along at the AAM even as the AAM is planning its move to new digs. We have plenty of activities planned this month to keep your mind off the passage of time. We start the month off with a bus tour to the 9th God Festival, followed by First Fridays and Bingo with the Little Sisters of the Poor. We will have a Tapas Cooking and Olive Oil Tasting Workshop at the Villa for the gourmands among us. And for our members with wanderlust, our Coffee Morning this month is travel themed. In the middle of the month, we have the Pink Lady High Tea, a fundraising event in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Then, we wind things down with the AAM Book Club in its new venue and a trip to the School of Hard Knocks at Royal Selangor. Take advantage of all these fun activities. Soon it’ll be the holidays, and we’ll need volunteer elves to help put on our highly anticipated Annual Charity Bazaar.

Editorial Support Ann Tan Designer Yap Wai Kuan Advertising Sales Ann Tan Tel: (03) 4021-4367/8 Printer Seng Hoe Printing Process 33, Jalan Hang Tuah 2 Taman Salak Selatan 57100 Kuala Lumpur Tel/Fax: (03) 8941-7603 Publisher American Association of Malaysia The KLAmerican is published 10 times per year. The deadline for inclusion is at least six weeks prior to publication which is the 1st of the month. Advertising for non-profit organizations is free-of-charge on a spaceavailable basis. The magazine staff reserves the right to edit copy for clarity, brevity, and accuracy. Information on AAM members is not to be used commercially. Reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission, is strictly prohibited.

This month in the magazine, we’ll hear all about moving from member Latisha Merican. Ngosong Fonkem will tell us why he’s happy he found the AAM when he moved to Malaysia. Debz Rafferty talks about keeping up Halloween traditions in KL, and I will tell you all about my recent trip to Palau in the Digital Shoebox. I am also always looking for content to fill these pages, so if you have a story to tell or photos to share, please send them my way at editor.klamerican@gmail.com. Rest up and enjoy October, but be warned – the holidays are coming!

Kim Starr Publications Director

Unit G-3A, Villa Seavoy 7, Lorong Titiwangsa 8 Taman Titiwangsa 53200 Kuala Lumpur GPS Coordinates: N3° 11.035’, E101° 42.278’

Tel: (03) 4021-4367/8 Fax: (03) 4032-3055 E-mail: klamerican.info@gmail.com website: www.klamerican.com

Mon, Wed, & Thu. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tue & Fri 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Closed from 1– 2 p.m. every work day for lunch Closed Sat, Sun and public holidays

KL American October 2014

Membership Hello! This month, instead of writing my usual article, I decided to let someone else write it for me... well, sort of. I thought it would be nice to “interview” a newcomer to KL and get some perspectives from another person who has come to call Kuala Lumpur her temporary home. Edi and Jordi and their daughter Ingrid moved to KL in July of this year from the suburbs of Chicago. They have a 20-year-old son still in the U.S. who is a junior at the University of Miami.

“Selamat Datang ke AAM!” to our new members for August: Alejandra & Ramiro Barbosa/Rivera Urszula & Daniel Gaw Edith & Jordi Girata/Ferre Irina Protsenko Rupa & Sunil Shah

ME: Is this your first international assignment? EDI: Yes, it is. ME: What have been your experiences in KL since you arrived? EDI: For the most part our experiences have been very positive. The transition has been great. Everything from the moment our shipment arrived, to the movers and unpackers has gone very smoothly and very efficiently. I shop for groceries at all the stores around the area and find it very easy to find the things I’m used to finding back in the States. We knew we wanted to live “in the city” so we are located by KLCC and right in the heart of everything. That’s been a dream for me. ME: What do you see as some of the negatives about moving to a foreign country? EDI: DRIVING…driving is scary here. My hope one day is to be able to drive here - even though it’s a change for me to drive on the left side. And then there’s crossing the street! ME: How about your daughter – how has it been for her coming to a foreign country? EDI: Ingrid has had a great experience so far. She is in 9th grade at ISKL and we all just love the school. I heard that the ISKL is a community and we really get that sense. Our daughter had no problem making new friends right away and the positive thing for her is that her friends now are from other countries all over the world. ME: Malaysia is a great place to travel from. Name one place your family would like to see while living here? EDI: Australia, definitely. ME: How did you become a member of the AAM? EDI: I knew that once I arrived I would need to get involved with a group of ladies somehow. A friend of mine that lives in Illinois told me about a friend of hers that lived in KL. Once I arrived, I got in touch with Helen and she has taken the time to show me around the city. I heard about the AAM from a few different people and was invited to the Villa to play mahjong. We have been members ever since. My calendar is filled with events and outings so really it has been easy for our whole family to make this transition - even our dog MAX! I want to thank Edi for her time spent with me and wish to say to her and her family….Welcome to Malaysia! See you soon!

Peggy Uptigrove 2nd Vice President*

* Congratulations to Peggy on her recent promotion to 2nd Vice President! We are happy to see Peggy in this new role, but sadly that leaves the position of Membership Director vacant. If you would like to volunteer to fill Peggy’s shoes please call the AAM office or email klamerican.info@gmail.com.

Travel Talk Coffee Morning

School Supply Drive

KL is a fantastic base to explore SE Asia beyond the usual nearby vacation paradises. Come to this inspiring coffee morning to hear about the off-the-beaten path adventures of our members and share your own travel stories over coffee and light refreshments. Details are on page 11.

As the school year begins, why not drop off any papers, pencils, backpacks, or other school supplies at the AAM for a back-toschool-drive for our charities? There is a basket at the AAM where you can donate supplies to help meet the needs of our kids.

KL American October 2014

AAM Messages

The AAM is on Facebook!“Like”the AAM Facebook fan page by logging on, typing ‘American Association of Malaysia’ in the Search bar at the top of the page and clicking ‘Like.’ You’ll get the latest information on all of AAM’s exciting events and activities! Our Yahoo! Group was disbanded on 30 September 2014. If you were member of this group please be sure to join our new Google Group!

Introducing the AAM Google Group - a forum for members to consult with other members on queries and recommendations for anything from best family hotels to dentists to household help. Members can join in two ways. First you can send an email to secondvp.aam@gmail.com with the email addresses you would like to add to the Google Group. Please put “Need AAM Google Group Invite” in the header of the email. The second way to join is you can go to Google Groups, search for American Association of Malaysia and then ask to be invited and the administrator can add you. When you receive the invite via email, you must respond to complete the registration process. For more information, go to http://www. klamerican.com/online-communities.

Membership Renewal

To avoid missing any issues of the magazine and to continue receiving discounted prices for AAM events, please make sure your membership is up to date. Renewal notices will be emailed to you one month before expiration. Dues can be paid at the office by cash or check or via IPAY.

Your $0.02 Do you have any ideas or suggestions for new activities, events or workshops that may be of interest to our members? Can you think of ways we can improve our current line-up? Any concerns about the AAM’s building facilities? Your feedback, whether positive or negative, is always welcome. Kindly drop us a line in the Suggestion Box located in the villa or email klamerican.info@gmail.com.

Holidays in October

Please note, the AAM office will be closed on the following dates: 6 October: Hari Raya Haji 22 October: Deepavali 25 October: Awal Muharram

Reservation & Payment Policy

Event and Activities reservations can be made via email (klamerican.info@gmail. com), in person or via fax. • The AAM office staff will send a confirmation receipt and whether or not the activity is still available if the reservation is made via email or fax. • Reservations MUST be cancelled before the individual deadline OR FIVE DAYS prior to the activity in order to receive a refund. • For Events/Activities that have a minimum attendance required, if it is not achieved it may be cancelled or rescheduled Please remember that while some times this policy can be amended (if the instructor is more flexible) you should not expect that to be the case when trying to book yourself into an event/activity late. While the office staff strives to include all interested members in these activities some times it is just not possible due to constraints either on space or instructor requirements. Fees for activities must be paid at the time of reservation. You may pay by cash in person at the Villa or online through IPay88. If you wish to deposit CASH payments to the AAM’s account directly, please contact the AAM for account information and instructions. Personal checks will no longer be accepted. AAM Contact: Tel- (03) 4021-4367/4368 Fax- (03) 4032-3055 e-mail: klamerican.info@gmail.com

IPAY88

Please respond within 48 hours of receiving the IPAY invoice. AAM hopes you are enjoying the convenience of our online payment service. With this secure portal you can pay for events, classes, workshops. Payments can be made from your home. Simply contact the AAM office to make your reservation and request an online invoice. Then check your email inbox for further instructions – it’s that easy! Note: A 5% service charge will be added to all transactions. Please also be aware that the official payment gateway name that will show up on your credit card statement is Mobile88. For additional details, contact the AAM office or visit http://www.klamerican.com/ home/reservations-payments-online.

EXPAT THE

AAM Online Communities

Solicitation Policy Solicitation of business by any member or guest is not allowed at any AAM function without prior board approval. Members are requested to respectfully observe the policy that membership information is to be used solely for AAM business and is not to be used for personal or business solicitation purposes. If you are interested in sharing your talents/services with the AAM, please contact the AAM office. KL American October 2014

Community Service The American Association of Malaysia 2014 Annual Christmas Charity Bazaar is on the move! As expats, it seems we’re always on the move – and if it’s not ourselves, it’s someone we know. The AAM’s main event for charity is moving, too. The 2014 Christmas Bazaar will be held at the classy Renaissance Hotel on 18 November 2014. Not only have we moved location, we’ve moved the time. There will be more time to browse, mingle with friends and shop the beautiful wares our local charities have to offer. By doing so, you further support our charities during this special time of year. And don’t forget our local vendors who will have an array of wonderful items as well. On a separate note, last month I talked about the art of volunteering so I’d like to introduce you to an extraordinary volunteer, Marie Tripi, my dear friend. Marie works with great love of her chosen profession as a pediatric physical therapist. She works with the children at TASPUTRA PERKIM, a day care center for disabled children and one of AAM’s recipient charities. Marie’s a perfect fit with Tasputra and was introduced to them through AAM community service – one of the things your community service does – matching volunteers with organizations. Even though Marie is on temporary assignment with her husband here in KL, she works diligently with the children, PT staff and other volunteers. She’s even made a training video and so much more. Recently, TV3 did a documentary on Tasputrav (http:// www.tv3.com.my/beritatv3/berita_terkini/Tasputra_Sinar_Baharu_Bagi_Kanak_Kanak_OKU.html). It was great exposure, and because of the show parents are calling to bring their children to the center. The need for help has never been greater. Tasputra is looking for a speech therapist and child psychologist. And of course, it always welcomes volunteers. Please pass the word along. And if you’re interested, contact Haijah Elahe Norman or Grace Jackson. TASPUTRA PERKIM 3498 Jalan Ampang Hilir 5, 55000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (03) 4251 8619 www.tasputraperkim.org.my This is what Marie has to say about TASPUTRA PERKIM: “Some people who volunteer at the center come every day for a week or two. Others come one or two days a week and do that for months at a time. Tasputra is very flexible and that is the great thing about them. There are lots of things to help out with. It can be helping the kids with reading and writing, feeding children at lunchtime, helping out in the PT or OT rooms or donations of goods they may need at the center. If you have a heart for children and time to give, this is a wonderful place. You don’t have to have a special degree, though it’s awesome if you have that, just a willingness to help and a loving and caring attitude. These are special children here and they will steal your heart…”

Marie Tripi and PTs

Student hard at work

Marilyn Kindy Community Service Director 8

KL American October 2014

Beautiful smiles

Encouragement

HELP WANTED

It’s never too late!

AAM is looking for a few good people! This section will be dedicated to the open Board positions that need to be filled. Not sure you want a Board position but still want to help out? We will also list any help that will be needed for upcoming events. Keep checking for your opportunity to make a difference! •

Bazaar Volunteers - Summer is over, autumn is here and thoughts of the Holidays are reminding us the AAM Christmas Bazaar is near. November 18th is the date and we are in need of coordinators and volunteers! A sign up sheet will be at the AAM Villa or contact Lovie Alptunaer at Bazaardirector.aam@gmail.com.

•

Membership Director – This person greets new people and welcomes them into our community. Responsibilities include signing up new members during AAM events and disbursing membership materials.

•

Roadrunners Coordinator – Love running with friends? Step up and be the coordinator for the AAM’s weekly running club! The coordinator sends an email to everyone who has asked to be on the mailing list on Friday morning asking who is coming for Saturday morning. The coordinator has to have a route or have another volunteer who will lead the group on a route. The group runs seven miles each Saturday at 7 a.m. from the bridge in KLCC Park. Put your best foot foward and contact Peggy at secondvp. aam@gmail.com to volunteer.

•

Activities Coordinators – Have you been on a great tour that you want to share with the rest of the AAM community or heard about a fun thing to do that you are dying to try but need more people? Well, the AAM has a monthly Activities Meeting and we are in search of people who would like to coordinate activities for our membership. You can assist with just one specific activity, or you can come to the meeting and coordinate one of the many activity ideas brought by other members. For more information, please contact Peggy at secondvp. aam@gmail.com.

•

Webmaster – This position keeps our members informed of all important information including fun events by updating our Google-based website. Responsibilities include attending the monthly Activities Meeting to receive information for the website and updating information on the website in a timely manner. If you have the skills and can volunteer your time, please contact the AAM office at klamerican.info@gmail.com.

•

Reporter at Large – Do you enjoy writing short stories or articles and sharing them with others? Are you an avid photographer? This position is designed for you! The KL American is always looking for submissions from our members. Please feel free to send us your poems, experiences in local adventures, family trip pictures, recipes and anything else you think would be interesting to our community. Contact editor.klamerican@gmail.com.

Weekly Activities All activities are at the AAM Villa unless otherwise noted.

MONDAY

Mahjong 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Members: free. Non-members: RM30 (Non-members are welcome. The first two visits are complimentary.) Get rid of those Monday blues by playing a lively game of mahjong. We’ll shuffle the tiles, make ‘pungs’ and ‘kongs’ and enjoy the afternoon. Please email mahjong coordinator Randee at brduncn@gmail.com to confirm.

WEDNESDAY

Quilting 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Members: free. Non-members: RM30 (Non-members are welcome. The first two visits are complimentary.) New quilters and seasoned quilters work together to share their love of quilting. We meet at the AAM Villa. Please contact coordinator Diane Tenney at dianequilts@sbcglobal.net for details. Please be sure to put “Quilting Group” in the subject line.

TUESDAY

Beginners’ Bahasa Malaysia – Level 1 Tuesdays, starting 2 September - 25 November 2014 (12 sessions) 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Members – RM540, Non-Members – RM640. Materials RM50. Minimum 10 participants, maximum 12. Now is the time to start learning the language of your “adopted” country. This series of classes is led by Puan Mas from Applied Language Systems who will not only teach you the language but also share knowledge that will make your time in KL richer. Register with the AAM office to start this learning experience.

SATURDAY

KL Roadrunners Are you a runner? Are you looking for running friends? Come join the KL Roadrunners. We run on all different levels and newbies are welcome. This activity is suspended for the month of September as we look for a new coordinator. If you are interested please contact Stephanie at secondvp.aam@gmail.com.

KL American October 2014

What’s On in . . . October Bus Tour to 9th God Festival

Wednesday, 1 October 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Nan Thien Kwang Temple Members: RM70, Non-Members: RM100 Includes lunch. (Maximum 20 participants) Meet for pick-up at the side entrance of the InterContinental Hotel on Jalan Ampang (near Ampang Park LRT station)

Join us for this cultural tour to the 143-year-old Nan Thien Kwang temple in Ampang New Village to witness the fascinating Hokkien religious festival that takes place during the first nine days of the ninth lunar month when the Nine Emperor Gods are believed to return to earth to give peace, luck, wealth and good health. Since this is a religious festival, we recommend that participants personally give an RM10 donation to the temple for a blessing. Please dress conservatively. Do not wear flashy jewelry or bring too much cash, but bring along your camera and drinking water. Lunch, featuring the famous Hakka dish Yong Tau Foo (non-halal), will be provided at noon. Price includes transport, lunch and the services of an English-speaking guide. RSVP: E-mail klamerican.info@gmail.com to confirm availability.

First Fridays Arriving in KL can be overwhelming in the beginning, but the AAM is here to help! First Fridays is a social gathering designed especially for expats newly arrived to KL to provide an opportunity to ask questions, gather information, and take a second to relax with new friends. Friday, 3 October 9:30 a.m – 11:30 a.m. Starbucks, Avenue K, Ground Floor Cost: Individual Parking is available at Avenue K and Suria KLCC. LRT to KLCC station.

All members are encouraged to come enjoy the view facing the Twin Towers and help us welcome newcomers. Self-parking is available at Avenue K via Jalan Mayang, or drivers may park and walk from Suria KLCC. Please join us and pass on the invitation to new neighbors and friends. Feel free to drop by and say hello! RSVP: Appreciated but not necessary. E-mail klamerican.info@gmail.com.

Bingo with Little Sisters of the Poor Join our monthly bingo game to help spread the joy at this home for the elderly! We will bring prizes for the winners. The bingo morning is one of the highlights of the month for the residents. Tuesday, 7 October 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. St. Francis Xavier Home for the Elderly Taman Sri Bahtera, Batu Lima Cheras Tel: (03) 9131-1464

Please email klamerican.info@gmail.com if you can join us.

Tapas Cooking and Olive Oil Tasting

Thursday, 9 October 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. AAM Villa Cost: Members RM160/Non-Members Min. 20/Max. 30 participants

Do you have ANY idea how to select olive oil at the grocery store? If not, attend this workshop! At this first-of-its-kind workshop in Malaysia, you will learn about the different types of oil, how to read the labels and the health benefits of good oils in your diet. You will see how the right olive oils can bring out the amazing flavors of your meal, and the wrong ones can make it fall flat! As all good things in life, olive oil must be compared to a fine wine and paired with food in a similar way. After the presentation, two renowned chefs will prepare a tapas menu including - gazpacho Andalusia, summer radish, zucchini and onion tortilla, cured Muscovy duck with mozzarella, and berries with olive oil and ice cream. Yum! Best of all, you will taste all of these delicious creations as you enjoy a complimentary glass of award winning white wine, El Novio Pefecto from Valencia, Spain. RSVP: E-mail klamerican.info@gmail.com to confirm availability.

KL American October 2014

What’s On in . . . October Pink Lady High Tea - Fundraising Event for National Cancer Society of Malaysia Wednesday, 15 October 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Ritz Carlton, Kuala Lumpur Members/Non-Members: RM150

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to do our part in raising funds and awareness for this worthy cause, the AAM cordially invites all the fabulous women in KL to our Pink Lady High Tea. Come together for an afternoon of shopping, bubbles, pink style and quality girlfriend time for charity. During the event you will have a chance to bid on three gorgeously unique chairs, hand painted and each with a story to tell of memory, love and loss. Tickets are on sale now! Bring all your girlfriends! RSVP: E-mail klamerican.info@gmail.com today to avoid disappointment!

Coffee Morning: Travel Talk Thursday, 16 October 10:00 a.m. – Noon AAM Villa Cost: None Sponsored by:

This month, a few of our AAM members will share their tales of travel in Malaysia, SE Asia and beyond. You will hear about climbing the highest mountains and diving to the deepest depth of the sea, but most importantly you will learn travel tips and be inspired to dream about your next big adventure. These are the times when we are looking at taking a trip, and first hand experience and knowledge from someone who has “been there, done that” is very valuable! After the presentation, the conversation will continue informally over light refreshments. RSVP: E-mail klamerican.info@gmail.com by Wednesday, 15 October.

AAM Book Club October book: Mindnight in Peking by Paul French

AAM Book Club

NEW VENUE!

Please join us for the AAM’s newest monthly activity – AAM Book Club! We will meet the third Tuesday of every month at Ambiance Coffee Café. This month’s book is Midnight in Peking by Paul French (272 pages). Start reading and plan to join us for a stimulating conversation. Book Synopsis (reprinted from Amazon):

Tuesday, Chronicling an incredible unsolved murder, Midnight in Peking captures the aftermath of the brutal killing of 21 October a British schoolgirl in January 1937. The mutilated body of Pamela Werner was found at the base of the 11:00 a.m. Fox Tower, which, according to local superstition, is home to the maliciously seductive fox spirits. As British Ambiance Coffee Café detective Dennis and Chinese detective Han investigate, the mystery only deepens and, in a city on the Ambiance Ampang, verge of invasion, rumor and superstition run rampant. Based on seven years of research by historian and China expert Paul French, this true-crime thriller presents readers with a rare and unique portrait of the 379A 4 Jalan Ampang, last days of colonial Peking. First Floor (near Ampang Grocers) Cost: Individual RSVP: Appreciated but not necessary. E-mail klamerican.info@gmail.com.

Royal Selangor School of Hard Knocks

Wednesday, 30 October 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Royal Selangor Headquarters 4 Jalan Usahawan 6, Setapak, Kuala Lumpur Round-trip transport provided. Pick up from Avenue K. Meet at Starbucks front entrance. Cost: Members RM60/Non-Members RM90 Min. 10/Max. 20 participants

Royal Selangor, the world’s largest pewter maker, is renowned for its heritage of excellent craftsmanship and innovative design. The pewter brand offers a wide selection of beautiful home and personal accessories. Join us at the Royal Selangor headquarters and visitor center for a tour of the gallery and factory, followed by a chance to make your own pewter bowl at the School of Hard Knocks. You will then have the opportunity to shop with a 10% discount for all attendees followed by lunch at the Royal Selangor Café. Price includes transport, tour and a workshop in which you will make a pewter bowl. Pay for your own lunch and drinks. RSVP: E-mail klamerican.info@gmail.com by Tuesday, 21 October.

KL American October 2014

What’s On in . . . November Kampung Baru - a Malay Village Experience with Simply Enak

Wednesday, 5 November 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Cost: Members: RM120, Non-Members: RM150. Includes lunch. (Minimum 10 participants) Meet at entrance/exit to Kampung Baru LRT station)

Walk and eat your way through the streets of Kampung Baru, KL’s last traditional Malay enclave. Located just a stone’s throw from KLCC, this area preserves the traditional way of living despite being under constant threat by the developers of modern skyscrapers. Experience the sights and sounds of a village, complete with chickens running among the coconut trees. Relax and admire the old houses and savor the charm of the rustic New Village. During this walk you will get a deeper understanding of the local Malay culture, language, customs and the five pillars of Islam (shahadah, salat, zakat, sawm and hajj). You will visit the old kampung (village) houses and learn about the history of the neighborhood. You will be spoiled with a selection of local seafood and perhaps master the art of eating with your hands, typical in Malay households. But most of all, you won’t leave with an empty stomach. RSVP: E-mail klamerican.info@gmail.com by Tuesday, 28 October.

Indian Cooking with Sheela Kalaivanan

Thursday, 13 November 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. AAM Villa Cost: Members: RM125, Non-Members: RM155. Includes lunch. (Minimum 10 participants)

Learn how to make Indian favorites in your kitchen with Sheela Kalaivanan! Sheela will create a traditional five-course meal for you, consisting of Tomato Rice, a South Indian specialty using basmati rice, tomatoes and few spices to give a nice flavor; Beans and Carrot Vegetable, another South Indian specialty using two vegetables and freshly grated coconut and mild spices; Raita, a mixed vegetable dish prepared with yoghurt, a perfect coolant; Minced Chicken with Peas, a delicious chicken dish that cooks very fast; and Mango Kulfi, an Indian ice cream, which is a very popular dessert. Best of all, these dishes will be served for lunch! RSVP: E-mail klamerican.info@gmail.com by Wednesday, 5 November.

Christmas is Coming! The Christmas Bazaar is slowly approaching! Our thoughts of securing vendors, white elephant items and baked goods are here. We would like to make this 2014 Bazaar bigger and better for all, especially for our charities! Last year, we contributed over RM60,000 to over 20 charities in KL. We need your support and time to make this year’s bazaar a success. For more information on ways you

KL American October 2014

can help please email Bazaardirector.aam@gmail. com. Thank you for wanting to help!

Lovie Alptunaer & Mary Mantei Bazaar Directors

Your junk...is someone else’s treasure!!! Please drop off your once-loved items and put a smile on someone’s face. Take your pre-loved items to the AAM office any time between now and 5 November to join our “White Elephant” table. All proceeds go to charity.

Used Books Dust off those bookshelves! Clean out those closets! Donate your old books to the AAM. All proceeds go to charity.

Event Sponsor: KL American October 2014

What’s On in . . . November and beyond Looking Ahead... 04 November – Bingo with Little Sisters of the Poor 05 November – Kampung Baru with Simply Enak 07 November – First Fridays 08 November – Capstone Financial Social 12 November – Lunch Bunch 13 November – Indian Cooking with Sheela Kalaivanan 18 November – Christmas Bazaar 20 November – Community Service Coffee Morning 23 November – Thanksgiving Feast at the Villa 25 November – Book Club 06 December – Member Appreciation Night

KL American October 2014

American Association of Malaysia 28th Annual Christmas Charity Bazaar Tuesday, 18 November 2014 10 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3 p.m. Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Grand Ballroom Sponsors:

Fantastic door prizes! Over 100 vendors! Charity Tables Mouth-watering Baked Goods! White Elephant Treasures! Raffle! Required door donation RM15 in advance RM20 at the door All proceeds will go to local charities. For more information, please call the AAM on (03) 4021-4368. KL American October 2014

Digital Shoebox Four Fun Days in Palau Story by Kim Starr; Photos by David Terenzio For many years, I was a loyal customer of Continental Airlines, owing in no small part to the ease of hub-to-hub flights between my home in New York and my parents’ home in Cleveland. As I was sitting on those short puddlejumper flights from one snow-covered city to another, I would flip to the back of the in-flight magazine and study the route map of Continental’s island-hopping service in Micronesia, fantasizing that one day I could visit those sun soaked little specks of land scattered across the Pacific.

Traditional “Bai” hous e at the Belau (Palau) Na tional Museum

Recently, United Airlines ran a story in their in-flight magazine called “Three Perfect Days in Palau” and I tore it out and kept it. Now that I live in this part of the world, my fantasies of flying “Air Mike,” as the old Continental island-hopping service is called locally in Micronesia, could finally come true. Right around the same time, I stumbled across a National Geographic program on TV talking about all the rusting WWII wrecks to see on land and in the sea in Palau and that sealed it. I had to go – now or never – and my husband and I booked our Air Mike flights to Palau over the Hari Raya public holiday this past summer. Just like home!

Rock Island. Peaceful kayaking around the On the tour boat zipping past

the Rock Islands

Strolling along the pristine “long beach” sand bar.

rier reef at Palau’s bar g lin rk o sn ic Fantast

n-stinging Swimming with no 16

KL American October 2014

h Lake. jellyfish in Jellyfis

Swimming in the “Milky Way” lagoon

Digital Shoebox

ers hid in there! s of Japanese soild 00 10 ve lie be t n’ I ca

Warplane rusting in sh allow water.

Japanese “Zero”

American “Avenger”

e you step... Be very careful wher

ibeous landing. the site of the US amph This beautiful beach is

Bomb shackle from the Avenger

Tanks and amphibeous landin g craft litter the island. Palau is a tiny country. The population of the entire nation is less than half the size of my undergraduate alma mater. Before it became an independent republic in the mid ‘90s, it was part of the United States-governed Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and vestiges of the US are to be found everywhere, from the greenbacks in circulation, the roadside burger stands serving up USDA beef and the baseball diamond in the center of town, to the US standard issue post office offering domestic rates for mail back to the States and the town diner with meatloaf and chicken-fried steak on the menu!

se Japanense coastal defen

Memorial for a fallen US Marine

Japanese children Peace cranes left by

Palau is best known for its spectacular dive sites. Though my husband and I are not divers, we nonetheless enjoyed Palau’s underwater beauty on a snorkeling trip to the coral reef and on a kayaking tour around the Rock Islands. Palau is littered with relics from WWII. Japanese coastal defense guns are easy to spot rusting away as you zip past the Rock Islands in a speedboat, and submerged planes reappear in the shallow water at low tide. An unexpected highlight of our trip was a tour we made to Peleliu Island, site of a horrific battle. Believe it or not, they are still clearing munitions from the island seventy years later, and our knowledgeable guide led us through the jungle to see rusting planes from both sides of the war. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Palau and are trying to decide which stop on Air Mike to make next! KL American October 2014

Perspectives Moving Tales Story and photos by Latisha Merican Moving usually conjures up images of boxes or shipping containers, or perhaps U-Haul trucks and days of packing, packing tape and packing peanuts. My very first move in adulthood had none of that. Rather, it consisted of shopping for two suitcases from a nearby hypermarket, which were then placed side-by-side in the TV room of my parents’ house. Trips to the winter clothing specialist were made from which boots and warm clothing were purchased. My sister bought sachets of spice mixes and other cooking essentials and then literally packed my suitcases for me. After she was done, she wrote a list of the contents of each bag, and then laboriously went through each item before giving the list to me. She had distributed some items evenly so that in case one bag didn’t quite make it halfway around the world, I still had clothes and toiletries. I was 20 and had been accepted to study at the University of Missouri, St Louis. I was going by myself, along with about 200-odd other students, whose destinations were all over the US, most of whom had never been on a plane, let alone to another country. The TWA staff had kindly deposited both my suitcases onto the carousel at Lambert Airport, so for a couple of weeks I made do with what I had packed, and shared some of my spices with the seniors whose house we were crashing, until they brought us to Venture, a mind-bogglingly huge department store, to help us get sheets and household items. For the first two years, I lived with three friends in a duplex that was on the school shuttle route, after which I moved to live with other students, four more times. Each move, I was helped by friends and we used whatever cars were available, and a small U-Haul truck for bulky furniture.

One of the lovely views from our rooftop 18

KL American October 2014

One of the saddest days A couple of months before I was to leave the US for good, I went on a shopping spree, getting mostly candy for those back home. I packed all my possessions into eleven U-Haul boxes, shoved those into a Chrysler Voyager and drove with the same three friends I first lived with, who were in another rented Chrysler, to a Malaysian shipping agent based in Chicago. I then bought two Samsonite suitcases (the original two had long been consigned to the bin), into which I stuffed whatever I thought I would need before my boxes arrived. These, along with my beloved Meucci pool cue, I brought with me on the plane. I stayed put at my parents’ home in KL for four years before I was offered work in Singapore. The weekend before my first day of work, I drove with whatever I could fit into my Alfa Romeo 33 and moved into a tiny studio apartment that was slated to be torn down. That was home for the next nine months until the rental expired. Married and two months pregnant, one morning my husband Michael thrust into my hand the name of an agent, and left for work. With her help I found a new apartment building on the border of the red light district and chose Shalom Movers, which so impressed us that we became their repeat customers. When the owner himself came to give us a quote, I thought he would burst out laughing, but to his credit, he didn’t. Moving our wordly possessions, which didn’t even fill up a panel van, cost us a mere S$160 (about RM400)! Happily, we stayed in our next apartment for five years, until the landlord decided that he wanted it back for his daughter to move into. By this time, our family and possessions had grown, and we needed two big trucks plus a panel van and a whole day for the Shalom Movers crew to come and wrap up our big items. Packing itself took us a month as my husband was working and we had a four-year-old who wanted to “help,” and a three-month-old baby who demanded to be breastfed every hour.

Perspectives We moved into a five-storey townhouse with a rooftop Jacuzzi and acquired even more stuff, having carted some “indispensables,” like our turntables and record collections, back from our parents’ home. We also had another baby before making one final Singapore move, to another townhouse, where we stayed for two years before coming back to Malaysia. Because we didn’t already have a place to stay in KL, Shalom Movers deposited our furniture into StorHub, a storage facility, where it stayed for five months. We lived with my in-laws until one day I saw a house for rent, ironically across the road from my husband’s childhood home in Medan Damansara and where his sister and her family currently live.

The truck was so big and so high that it blocked the whole road and was in danger of snagging the power and telephone cables. Because our original quote from Shalom Movers was very high, we looked around for an alternative and found a company that came highly recommended by returning Malaysians. However, the staff, including the owner himself, turned out to be very unprofessional. They assured that they could pick up our belongings from StorHub at any time we needed them to, which was important to us, as we would be traveling from KL to unlock the storage unit; however, they were very early, and incredibly, when they saw that we were not there, they left! When they finally turned up at two o’clock in the morning, it was in a small truck with someone else’s furniture already in it, which they simply cordoned off before loading ours! They managed to fit not even a tenth of our belongings. We then drove back to KL at breakneck speed to make sure that we arrived first, lest they saw that we were not in and give our things to someone else. They then assured us that they were sending another truck for the remaining items, and my husband drove down by himself, and waited, and waited, and waited. Used to the professionalism of our usual mover, who would have gotten all the trucks and equipment ready an hour before, but who would knock on our door at the actual appointed time? I was dumbfounded when my husband

called to tell me that only the agent turned up. We agreed to fire him and I told my husband to come back home. At eight a.m. the following morning, I called Shalom Movers and made an appointment for transportation; they, as usual, were on time and had brought a huge container truck for the journey across Singapore to Tuas and the Second Link. The day our things arrived was probably one of the happiest days for our kids as they had missed their toys and familiar belongings. Because we moved from a five-storey house to a two-storey one, we had so much stuff that I wondered if we had to leave some outside! When Michael came back from Tampa where he was on business, he opened the front door to see nothing but boxes, some ten deep and definitely as high as he was tall. Luckily the movers had assembled the bunk bed so that at least the children had somewhere to sleep. It took us a long time to find a place for everything. A year later, Michael took a coach down to claim our Singapore car, which we were importing into Malaysia. He had had it deregistered six weeks earlier and it had been left gathering dust at the exporter’s storage facility in Tuas. Upon completion of the paperwork, the car was loaded onto a Land Transport Authority tow truck, driven to the middle of the Second Link Bridge and unloaded while curious passersby stared. The tow truck made a U-turn back to Singapore, and the car was then loaded onto a waiting Malaysian flatbed tow-truck which I had earlier booked. After five hours at customs and another five on the road, both Michael and our car arrived in the wee hours of the morning. And our international move was finally complete. It’s now been almost three years. Our lease is up in January, and I’m so not looking forward to moving again. Can anyone recommend a mover?

My son Tareq was so happy to get his dog, stuffed bear and the sofa back. KL American October 2014

For further information, please visit www.evaair.com or contact your nearest travel agency.

KL American October 2014

Perspectives Welcome: My AAM Experience Story and Photos by Ngosong Fonkem For many expats who relocate to a foreign land without knowing anyone there or who don’t have a guide to smooth out their transition, this drastic change can be a nervewracking experience. But with perseverance, open-mindedness, a tough skin, an inquisitive attitude and the ability to get outside one’s comfort zone, it can become a worthwhile, rewarding endeavor. Fortunately, there are numerous organizations and communities that serve as social and support networks for those expats that choose to avail themselves of these groups and their services.

Saturday Night Out: Dining in the Dark

In my case, I arrived in Malaysia at the end of August last year with only a couple of suitcases and a few thousand dollars in my wallet. I did not know anyone here in Malaysia, nor did I know what to expect once I got here. Although I have had more boring and lonely nights than the exciting and exotic adventure that I had envisioned prior to relocating here, I would not trade this experience for the comfortable and more frequently traveled road. My membership in the American Association of Malaysia (AAM) has made this journey a much more tolerable and enjoyable experience. Upon arriving in Malaysia last year, I joined the American Association. I joined the AAM for several reasons. First, when I arrived here, I knew no one in Malaysia, so it was a good way for me to meet and network with other Americans living in the country, specifically at the AAM’s weekly and monthly social activities in Kuala Lumpur, which are a good way to meet and cultivate friendships outside a professional setting. I have been fortunate to meet very interesting and friendly people, whom I now consider family. Second, most of AAM’s major events follow similar events in the United States such as its Thanksgiving dinner, New Orleans style Mardi Gras celebration, Christmas party, and Saturday night bar hops, etc. - which are all good opportunities to get a taste of home abroad. Third, the AAM also provides a forum for fellow expats here to meet and develop professional contacts. Most of the expats that I have met through the AAM are very accomplished professionals within their respective industries. Thus, they can, and often times do serve as professional mentors to younger professionals seeking professional guidance. As such, I have been fortunate to take advantage of some of these opportunities and this would not have been possible if I had not become an AAM member. Living abroad for an extended period of time can be very challenging, but having a support group of friends to turn to in times of need or joy can make the experience more bearable and enjoyable. I believe that the AAM does an amazing job welcoming all expats who seek its assistance and it continues to provide an invaluable service to the American expats here in Malaysia.

Mardi Gras at the AAM Villa

Thaipusam trip with the AAM

KL American October 2014

Better

Dr. Zamzuri Zakaria M.D (UKM) M.S General Surgery (UKM), Fellow In Breast Surgery (Aus),Fellow In Breast & Endocrine Surgery (Mal) Consultant General and Breast & Endocrine Surgeon Tropicana Medical Centre

B r e a s t H e a lt h

It is not uncommon for women of all ages to be concerned or sometimes obsessed about their breasts – their size, shape, sag factor and whether the unusual pains arise from monthly pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) hormones or something more sinister such as breast cancer.

towards breast cancer. Resveratrol found in the skin of grapes may shield your cells from damaged, which could lead to cancer and reduces your estrogen levels. If alcohol is part of your lifestyle, try to keep it to one serving a day or less: 340mL of beer or 43mL of hard liquor.

Here are some easy ways to keep your breasts healthy and looking great. Breast health is an integral part of a woman’s overall physical and emotional wellbeing. Therefore, incorporating these steps into everyday life can go a long way towards keeping you healthy and lowering your breast cancer risk.

4. Fill up on produce A low-fat diet can do a lot to curb cancer and it is better to include some cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and kale, to your plate. They contain sulforaphane, which is believed to help stop cancer cells from multiplying. Several recent studies have additionally suggested that eating a lot of fruits and vegetables may be associated with a reduced risk of developing estrogen-receptor-negative breast tumors. This may be due to the fact that fruits and vegetables are rich in carotenoids and natural pigments that serve as antioxidants.

1. Maintaining a healthy weight Having excess weight around your body can increase your risk of developing disease, as extra pounds also mean carrying extra and unnecessary oestrogen production. Breast cancer is hormonally driven by oestrogen but normally, oestrogen is extremely helpful. When in excess however, it can wreak havoc and speed up multiplication and growth of cancer cells, leading to breast cancer. To protect yourself, stay within the recommended and healthy weight range for your height and ensure your body mass index (BMI) is ideal. Calculate your ideal BMI with a BMI calculator. Below link from the National Heart Foundation may be used: http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/healthyeating/Pages/bmi-calculator.aspx 2. Be physically active The target duration of exercise every healthy woman should aim for is 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly (ideally, spread out, not all at once) as recommended by The American Cancer Society. Examples of moderate-intensity physical activity that noticeably accelerates the heart rate include brisk walking (walking quickly at an elevated heart rate), dancing, gardening and even housework or domestic chores. Regular workouts, especially a combination of cardio and strength training help bolster immune function, keep obesity at bay and lower levels of oestrogen and insulin. If time is limited, aim for high intensity exercise for 75 minutes a week, as it promotes similar benefits. When motivation runs low, investing in a nearby gym, fitness group sessions or personal training can be advantageous.

TROPICANA MEDICAL CENTRE

11, Jalan Teknologi, PJU 5, Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. T: +603-6287 1111 W: www.tropicanamedicalcentre.com FB: www.facebook.com/TropicanaMedicalCentre E: enquiries@tropicanamedicalcentre.com

KL American October 2014

3. Consume less alcohol Research has shown that two drinks a day could increase breast cancer risk by 21 percent. A separate meta-analysis of 53 studies also demonstrated that women who drink more than three drinks a day have 1.5 times the risk of developing breast cancer as compared to nondrinkers. Nonetheless, alcohol in moderation such as one 175mL (medium) glass of wine daily can lower risk of heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes and stroke. Alternatively, you can try swapping wine for fresh dark grapes instead, as it is protective

5. Know your body It is important to be familiar with how your breasts usually look and feel. Easily, you can look at your breasts each time you stand in front of the mirror and feel them when you shower or before you go to bed. The National Cancer Institute states that although self-breast examinations do not decrease the number of breast cancer survival, knowing your breast will enable you to spot any major changes so you can consult your doctor for further diagnosis. Check them when they are not swollen or tender and this is usually before or during your menstruation. 6. Go for check-ups When a woman reaches the age of 40, they should begin to have a clinical breast examination at least once every three years and annual exams as well as mammograms. You can choose to go for a digital mammography, which allows adjustments in contrast and provides a clearer image. Apart from that, it is also extremely important to know and identify any history of breast cancer that runs in the family (close relatives like a parent or sibling), particularly the age they first developed it. For women with a positive family history of breast cancer, screening should begin 10 years before the family member’s age of diagnosis. 7. Consider genetic testing Breast cancer is more commonly linked to a genetic mutation of the BRCA gene. Women who are Ashkenazis (Eastern European) or of Jewish descent, have a family history of breast cancer and ovarian cancer are often carriers of the BRCA mutation. It is useful to seek genetic counseling to talk about being tested if you have either of these factors. In fact, in about 15 percent of breast cancer cases, there is a family history of the disease. Take note that if you have one first-degree relative who had breast cancer, your lifetime risk doubles and that risk increases to five-fold if you have two.

Diversions Halloween in KL Story and Photos by Debz Rafferty Halloween is a holiday celebrated on the last night of October. The word Halloween is a shortening of All Hallows’ Evening, also known as Hallowe’en or All Hallows’ Eve. Scottish immigrants brought Halloween to the United States and the tradition can be dated back to the 1740s. The exact origins are conflicted. Some scholars have pronounced the roots as pagan from the Gaelic festival of Samhain. This was a festival practiced in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man to mark the beginning of the colder and darker half of the year, and the finish of harvests. Traditionally it is celebrated from sunset on 31 October to sunset on 1 November. Samhain, pronounced sah-win, was often marked with bonfires, dancing and merry making. Many Christians believe that Halloween owes its origins to All Hallows’ Eve or All Saints’ Eve and has nothing to do with pagans. To them, Halloween is a day dedicated to remembering the dead, saints, martyrs and dedicated believers, and on All Saints’ Eve they are honored. In America, Halloween has evolved into much more than a multi-religious event, and the focus seems to be on children having fun. A celebration of childhood and scaring themselves, just a little, seems to be the main point of modern Halloween. Few could argue that origin of Halloween in the 21st century is the United States of America. America has introduced their

Ready for Halloween? Susanna, Hyo and Debz sure are! own traditional activities including trick-or-treating, bonfires, costume parties, visiting “haunted houses” and carving jack-olanterns from pumpkin. Children from many countries, cultures and religions now take to the streets dressed as their favorite super heroes, in witches’ hats or painted goblin faces. “Trick or treat!” now echoes from Central to South America through mainland Europe and beyond. It has even reached Malaysia. This month, prepare to see magnificent Halloween displays in shopping malls. As with many other holidays, Malaysians are not often upstaged. Grocery stores will be full of candy corn, boiled witches’ eyes, and other gruesome goodies. For our new members, the good news is there will be many of your favorite candy brands on sale, the not-so-good news is there will be a price difference because of import charges. Each condo or gated community has different rules on going door to door. With security passes on elevators preventing trips to other floors, your neighbors may not be accessible. Don’t let that dissuade you. Talk to your management offices and see if they have plans to organize a treat-filled event, and if they haven’t, just get out there and do it yourself. A poolside fancy dress Halloween party in a warm safe environment beats trailing around cold streets in my books. It is great fun for the kids and a fantastic way for you to meet your neighbors. Throw in a pot luck meal and then the work is shared more equally. Remember, Halloween is not just for kids. We love Halloween in KL and the fantastic memories each year brings.

Ariana, Wiona and Cassander are ready for the big day.

Selamat Datang Now on sale at the AAM

Tel: (03) 4021-4367 / 12th edition

Price per set (2 volumes):

members RM85, non-members RM100

4021-4368

KL American October 2014

Memories Coffee Morning: Ambiance Ampang Showroom Visit, 15 August Photos by Randee Duncan Alas, summertime is over. Members are back in KL from their vacations or trips back home, well-rested and ready to shop! The AAMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s August coffee morning was the perfect occasion to do just that, as well as and catch up with friends.

KL American October 2014

Memories Saturday Night Out: La Boca Latino Bar, 16 August Photos by Randee Duncan The AAM’s August SNO was a particularly wellattended and lively affair as many members had recently returned to KL after extended summer travels. It doesn’t hurt, of course, that August’s SNO outing featured delicious Latin American food, satisfying cocktails and intoxicating music.

KL American October 2014

Memories Lunch Bunch: Top Hat Restaurant, 20 August Photos by Randee Duncan The Lunch Bunch enjoyed one last leisurely outing of the summer by visiting this classic KL venue. The group enjoyed Malaysia dishes in a traditional colonial setting nestled right in the heart of bustling and modern KL!

First Fridays, 5 September Photos by Randee Duncan First Fridays is as popular as ever with a big crowd packing the Avenue K Starbucks this month! Newbies were welcomed to KL as KL veterans had a chance to catch up after their busy summers. AAM President Emeritus Cindy Childress stopped by with a big bouquet of flowers to formally pass the torch to our new President Stephanie Emilo and wish her well.

KL American October 2014

Memories Writer’s Workshop, 25 August Photos by Randee Duncan AAM members got in the “back to school”spirit by attending this fun and informative workshop hoping to unlock their inner muse. Who knows, maybe the next great American novelist is out there in the AAM membership!

KL American October 2014

Saturday,

11 October 2014 7pm

H/P: +60111 668 7678 & H/P: +6012 267 1259

Persatuan Wanita Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur International Women´s Association of Kuala Lumpur

PRESENTS AU C

BAN

TIO

LET’S PARTY!

Charity Fundraising Dinner

RAW

FFL

D LUCKY

Date: Saturday 1 November 2014

Funds are raised for:

Time: 7.30pm - 11.30pm Venue: Sheraton Imperial, KL Tickets: RM300 / RM500 (VIP) Dress code: Lounge suit / Cocktail

Handicapped and Mentally Disabled

Contact iwakul@gmail.com or Anja 011-15633907

Children Association Selangor

More details on iwakl.org

www.handicapjb.org.my

KL American October 2014

Introducing ...

THE AAM COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD Dear Members, The AAM is now dedicating a full page to member driven content. • Send in a gorgeous snapshot from a recent vacation. • Celebrate a unique accomplishment - hole-in-one? finish a Marathon? • Brag a little – new baby? Grandbaby? New job? Promotion? School play? • Coming or going – take the chance to say hello or goodbye to the community! The sky’s the limit! I hope you are as excited about this new feature as I am. If you are interested in sharing a few lines or a photo, contact me at editor.klamerican@gmail.com.

A WINNING HAND: Member and mahjong enthusiast Sherri Moore shows a rare mahjong hand called “Civil War”. Needless to say, she was a winner!

AAPP IS ENDING!

Good to Know...

Dear Members, Sadly, the AAM is ending the American Association Privilege Program. As contracts expire with the various vendors around town that have agreed to give AAM members discounts or special offers, we are not renewing them. But until the agreements are up, you are still entitled to the discounts and special offers. Please check the website (http://www.klamerican.com/home/privilege-program-participants) to see a list of participating outlets as we will no longer be publishing the list in this magazine.

KUALA LUMPUR CONVENTION CENTRE LAUNCHES SAFE DISPOSAL OF HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE CAMPAIGN Items accepted for disposal are:

GONE FISHING: Member Arden Wight sent us this gorgeous shot of her husband Dwayne fishing in the Bow River on their recent trip to Alberta, Canada. Looks like a dream!

•

SW103 – Used batteries (batteries from laptops, mobile phones, rechargeable & alkaline/button batteries, etc.)

•

SW109 – Fluorescent lighting (blubs, tubes, LEDs, etc.)

•

SW110 – e-waste or ‘used’ electrical and electronic devices (computers, TVs, printers, scanners, mobile phones, remote controls, calculators, cameras, etc.)

Located at the Concourse Level, Centre Core, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, the HHW collection point opens from 9.00am to 10.00pm daily, now through 31 December 2014. KL American October 2014

american association of malaysia KL

October 2014

Sun

Mon

Tues

Wed 1

VENUE KEY

AAM Office Tel : (03) 4021 4368

AAM Off Site

email: klamerican.info@gmail.com

7 Hari Raya Haji AAM closed

1 - 3 p.m. Mahjong

KL American October 2014

9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Beginner’s BM, Level 1

10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Quilting

9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Beginner’s BM, Level 1

9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Beginner’s BM, Level 1 11 a.m. Book Club @ Ambiance Coffee Café

9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Beginner’s BM, Level 1

10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 9th God Festival

Fri

Sat

9:30 - 11:30 a.m. First Fridays @ Starbucks, Avenue K

10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Quilting

10 - 11 a.m. Bingo @ Little Sisters of the Poor

Thu

10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Quilting 1 - 4 p.m. Pink Lady High Tea

10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Tapas Cooking and Olive Oil Tasting

10 a.m. Coffee Morning “Travel Talk”

Deepavali

Awal Muharram

AAM closed

10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Quilting

10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Royal Selangor School of Hard Knocks

KL American October 2014

(60-3) 5565 2200 KL American October 2014