My family in Malaysia, and any friends visiting the area (one, plus his girlfriend), are all well and alive, thank gods. We are very lucky - as the tsunami that did hit Malaysia hit the state and area that our family is from (Perak, and some specifically from areas such as Pangkor, Lumut, and Penang - as well as various inland towns). We are even luckier that our friend - a seventeen year old Eurasian who is the child (and good friend of my brother) of my parents' friends (the father even went to school with dad back in Malaysia) - who was in Penang less than two hours before it hit chose to take the bus, leaving earlier than planned (the train was scheduled to leave shortly after the tsunami actually hit). I think we all cried tears of relief to hear Alistair was ok, because he is honestly one of the loveliest kids you can imagine, and is far too young to deserve such a short and tragic ending (and the same for many of the victims, I am sure).

So, my trip to Victoria - did I mention that? Well, I was going for a family wedding - I will post about later. Tonight, and in fact tomorrow, is just a little too hectic to allow for a decent update on happenings. Plus I'd like to have photos to show ... :) So, I hope you all have a safe and pleasant New Year's Eve. Take care, and I hope the hangovers aren't too discomforting :P