I am making new friends here. I have large shoes to fill in making them feel just as welcomed and at home, if they ever visit me in the U.S., specifically Texas.
Auntie Keng Hong, who is Dr. Tan's sister-in-law. She has adopted me as the daughter she never had. She feeds me, transports me and talks to me almost daily, making sure I am having a good time. It is pay back for the people who took care of her sons when they studied and lived in the U.S. She is quite the world traveler herself (she just came home from Europe) and looks forward to visiting the U.S. next year. She is thinking of Texas in September, which I assured her is not as hot as July. If I can schedule my week's vacation at the same time, I will give her a personal guide of Colorado. Her favorite past time is watching Korean dramas on the computer. I think she has Korean blood although she assures me that she is Chinese.
Auntie Keng Hong's two sons. Yen in the blue, with his fiance Ai Ching and Jared in the maroon with his fiance Lily. We went out with some of their friends Kim and Val for Bakut Ku Teh, which is my favorite food and which I will try to replicate when I get home for my family and friends. Both Yen and Jared are very nice and great hosts. Tonight we are going to a local beach in Penang, and who knows what other adventures and sights they will take me to in the remainder of my stay.
Auntie Ai Hwa, Dr. Tan's good friend, who was my first tour guide the first days I was here. She is a wonderful host and makes sure I have eaten a good meal at least once a week and have seen the tourist attractions of Penang. Like Penang hill, which I did with her nephew last weekend.
Auntie Ai Hwa's nephew, J.J. He was a good sport and hiked up and down Penang hill with me for 4 hours. Apparently, he would not use the word "enjoy" to describe his experience. I had a lot of fun. We ate Ice Kacang, ranked second in my book. This is also where we saw the Monkey Cup plant (Pitcher plant).
And not pictured, yet. The doctors from Island, and more of Dr. Tan's friends, some of whom I will meet this weekend and next week in KL, when I travel to Singapore, and a few more here in Penang. She is very well connected, and they are all as wonderful as she is.
And, Dr. Tan's mom, her nurses, and her maid. They are very nice, welcoming, good hosts and lots of fun to talk to at night. The nurses all are wealth of information as to what to do and how to do it.
Miss all of my friends and family in the U.S., but I am really enjoying myself and immersing myself in Malaysian culture (mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian). U.S. Chinese and Indian food will never taste the same again.
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