Integration, Day 365

It is hard to believe that one year ago today, we packed our family of four (and then some), got on three different planes and moved 9,000 miles from our home country of Malaysia to Washington, the US of A.

Since then I have

  • moved once more, from our rental to our own home. Told Lokes I’m not moving until he finds a job in either Ireland or Scotland. Why? I have no idea.
  • become a better parent. Not just for my kids, but emotionally and mentally. I am now a parent I’ve always wanted to become, and it’s not only us moving here that’s allowed that to come to fruition, but also because my husband is so goddamn talented. I love you, baby. 
  • made many dear friends (Karli, both Sharons, Mia – you know who you are!) both in real life and through this blog.
  • experienced the most extreme of Washington weather: floods, winds and snow. Conceited but did our moving here tilt some kind of meteorological balance? :D
  • improved my blogging and writing by leaps and bounds. It’s a wonder what a little solitary confinement can do for your creativity. It’s still too early to tell but something major – at least for me - is in the works. Three of my stories will appear in Dark City 2 this year, and I have found myself an agent in Singapore who’s putting something together. Wish me luck!
  • improved my cooking/homemaking skills. Although my chicken curry kinda sucked today. Okay, it was burnt. I haven’t burnt dinner in a while, so statistically, it was bound to happen.
  • become more well-read, thanks to the King County library system. Awesome stuff.
  • become a better photographer, but thanks only to the subjects (my kids, the beautiful scenery here in Washington). Am keen to make more of this.
  • rekindled my love for drawing. I had not drawn anything since a very short experiment during my years living and working in Singapore in the early ’90s. I knew I had it in me, and I’d lost it. I’m so glad it’s giving me a second chance.

As we look towards another year here in the land of good and plenty, I want to do more: become a better friend, a better mom and wife, a better writer, a better artist, a better person. Thanks to everyone who’s made my blog, and our lives here so very rich and meaningful!

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 14th, 2007 at 7:37 pm and is filed under Imperfect America, Imperfect Blogging. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

9 Responses Subscribe to comments


  1. mom on a wire

    Happy anniversary! I am so glad you moved here. :)

    Jan 14, 2007 @ 10:57 pm


  2. pelf

    Cheers!

    Jan 15, 2007 @ 1:18 am


  3. momiji

    Congratulations on a big and important year!
    It has been 12 years since I moved to Paris (France) from Moscow (Russia), but I still remember very vivdly how it is hard to adapt and build up a whole new life, the first year being especially difficult, but at the same time full of emotion and so many discoveries.
    I think you did wonderfully and thus wish you a good and happy continuation :)

    Jan 15, 2007 @ 3:58 am


  4. jennemede

    Thanks guys!

    Jan 15, 2007 @ 10:10 am


  5. Kelantan Gal

    You have settled very beautifully and have taken everything in stride. When I become a parent one day, I hope I’m like you — just embracing motherhood!

    Congratulations! :)

    Jan 15, 2007 @ 11:20 am


  6. sweetisu

    You guys did well, very well. You deserve a big pat on the back. It is hard to assimilate and adapt, but I think you are all taking it in stride and enjoy the move, the people, and the resources thoroughly instead of sulking in the “I’m so homesick” moods. Very proud of you guys and the kids as well. :-)

    Jan 15, 2007 @ 12:50 pm


  7. Lia

    awesome stuff hun, happy “anniversary” hehehe I applaud ur bravery in first moving over, and then settling in with the full intent of enjoying whatever blessings come ur way!

    and such GREAT news reg: the agent etc.. So many people Talk abt doing something but you are actually doing ,AWESOME :)

    Jan 15, 2007 @ 4:54 pm


  8. YvonneO

    Happy Anniversary and THANK YOU for sharing your lives on this blog. It has been a great place for dialogue – exchanges of thoughts and experiences. All the best with your burst of creative energy. I hope this translates into good things for you and yours.

    Jan 15, 2007 @ 9:33 pm


  9. jennemede

    Thanks so much guys for the kind words. I have been really blessed which is why I’m thinking of making my peace with God.

    Well, sorta. :)

    Jan 15, 2007 @ 10:02 pm

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