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.. is like a new chapter in your life. Learning to take baby steps all over again. Well, not really baby steps. But sometimes I truly wish it was easier. When we moved to the States a few years ago, Hubby was assigned as a Software Professional and I instantly immersed myself in completing my online MBA. I begin blogging as a way to keep in touch with my loved ones back in Malaysia and India. But here’s the thing. We are yet to share our experiences as expats over here in the States. The living abroad guide if you may.

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… make lemonade. Though its not officially summer.

There’s a whole lot of legal stuff going on here in the Casa d’ KiranTarun, but let me spare you these painful jargon details. Lets just say that “when the going gets tough, the tough needs to get going”. And we are about to make tough decisions in the coming months.

Don’t get me wrong since I can’t get into details. Rest assured, I do love my life, my husband and our marriage πŸ™‚ Ok, take a deep breathe and read.

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…planning my menu > cooking my planned menu > cleaning after cooking my planned menu > vacuuming > scrubbing > dusting > planning another menu.. not again! Le sigh.. the endless list of household chores!

So, last weekend was a blast {literally} with a trip to Kennedy Space Center – NASA. Some might quote me as geeky, but I heart NASA πŸ™‚ If only, whilst growing up, my parents had coaxed me more towards space engineering. Anyone out there, dream of being an astronaut? You have my blessings for sure πŸ™‚

This is a lengthy post, filled with photos. Don’t steal, ask for permission before using any photos. Considered warned πŸ™‚

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If you are a Floridian, I would suggest getting the yearly pass to NASA, or for that matter, any Disney theme parks! Total tour takes a whole lot of time. With unlimited returns to NASA via a yearly pass, you can plan your trip and cover every nook and cranny. You have 1 year to do that anyways πŸ˜‰ There’s a whole lot of exhibits, tours and gadgets to see, test-drive and familiarize with. We arrived around noon and was greeted by some gracious security personnel at the check point. It was a fast and easy-peasy process. They were absolutely friendly. I heart friendliness. After a click of the above photo, me and Tarun were famished and begin our tour by visiting the Orbit Cafe for a scrumptious meal of chicken fingers and fries. It’s fast food for us whenever we are on the road.

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With a happy tummy, we proceeded for our first bus tour. This is not our first trip to NASA. We skipped visiting a couple of exhibition sites that we’ve visited before and instead, choose to enjoy the informational bus tours and clicked away endlessly with our Nikon πŸ™‚ These photo’s below are some of scenery’s taken from the bus:

Awaiting to board the tourist bus

Awaiting to board the tourist bus

This is where the orbiter is fitted & engineered with the Solid Rocket Boosters ;)

This is where the orbiter is fitted & engineered with the Solid Rocket Boosters πŸ˜‰

The Crawler is used to transport the orbiter to the launchpad for the countdown ;)

The Crawler is used to transport the orbiter to the launchpad for the countdown πŸ˜‰

Pebbled pathway for the enormous Crawler!

Pebbled pathway for the enormous Crawler!

We returned to the Visitor’s Centre Rocket Garden and enjoyed a full blown view of orbiters, shuttle rocket booster and experienced a whooping simulation of a shuttle launch. Goodness! It was so thrilling! No photos allowed in the simulation as it was a very shaky ride. Wouldn’t want to hurt yourself or any one else! I could never understand how these astronauts are able to handle such working conditions, riskiness and pressures. Kudos to them, I can never do it because of my vertigo. And the fact that I am very well under-qualified πŸ˜‰ Sigh… this is the little astronaut in me, spewing words from the beyond πŸ˜€ Enough of me, let’s get back to more photos:

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A model of a solid rocket booster!

A model of an Orbiter, where astronaut's are housed during shuttle missions.

A model of an Orbiter, where astronaut's are housed during shuttle missions.

The Launch Simulation Hall.. Exhilirating!!!

The Launch Simulation Hall.. Exhilirating!!!

That’s it for now! Stay tuned for Part 2 – our visit to the Astronaut’s Hall of Fame. Yes, this tour was a long and enjoyable one!

On a separate note, we want to take this opportunity to thank our readers and well-wishers for your continued support, love and participation during the 2009 Orbbies: Orlando’s Rockin’ Blogs competition. We are eternally grateful πŸ™‚

So, what are your plans for the weekend? Anything in the lines of … 3…2…1… Lift Off?

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Duration: 20th February – 7th March & 22nd Apr – 7th May 2009.

My β™₯ fluttered as the plane touched down on the tarmac of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Sigh, I truly missed the airport. Seriously. Before marriage, a major part of my life involves chauffeuring family and friends to and fro the KLIA airport – lame isn’t it? Anyways, no flights for me during that period. Reality struck huge when it was my turn to board the plane for US, more than 3 years ago. Time flies.

I almost raced to the baggage claim and immigration. And then I saw them, at the arrival gate. Mom and dad.

Awaiting impatiently, I could tell πŸ™‚ A tear rolled down my cheek. I wept. It’s been 3 years guys! We reunited, got to the car park and head for home. Mom asked, “what do you feel like eating?” Gosh! I truly missed Malaysian cuisine. We went ahead for local breakfast, and duh.. it had to be our staple nasi lemak and teh tarik! Yummylicious πŸ˜€

Mom enjoying nasi lemak ;)

Mom enjoying nasi lemak πŸ˜‰

Arrived home with a full tummy, jet-lag and tiredness! Phew! It was a long journey back home. I snoozed and awoke a couple of hours later to the most delicious scent of aloo pakora’s πŸ™‚ Mom, you are the best! What more can I ask for?

The next few days were packed with embassy appointment to renew my US visa, shopping, food sampling, dinner and lunch appointments with family’s and friends’. Fun was short-lived when I met with an accident. Nothing serious, no bodily harm or injury. Bumper dangling from each side of the car, with serious dents, bumps and bruises. Not to forget the fine of Ringgit Malaysia (RM) 300 that was slapped to me by the Police for allegedly not keeping a safe distance with a vehicle that was ahead of us. It’s a law in Malaysia, if you hit a vehicle at rear, you are automatically issued a ticket. It’s a very good law, only if I am immune to it πŸ™‚ Sigh. The repair itself costs an additional RM600. What a luck? I am sorry for damaging the car Dad πŸ™

Innocent victim :(

Innocent victim πŸ™

Lesson learned. The hard way.

Part 4 coming up, stay tuned!

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Click here to read my previous Travelogue’s.

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A while back, I had created a category called “Character of the Day”. I want to create a new embracelet to introduce some of my favorite reads for a long time now. The first blogger that I am keen to introduce is Su Yin Huen. She is a Malaysian, studied Construction Management in Australia and attended Notter School of Pastry in Orlando, USA. I know, she is a multi talented girl. She creates masterpieces that would make one go “oohh and ahhh” or “ga-ga”.

Su started blogging while attending UNSW university in Sydney Australia. With self-taught techniques, attained from cooking & baking for her roommates, she discovers her new found interest in the art of cake decorating.

It all began with a spark of enlightenment from picking up a tiny block of fondant icing and a brochure hidden within. She thought to herself; “WOW! The things I could do with THIS!!” by Su Yin.

Su’s journey by far, has been a fun roller coaster ride. Upon returning from Notter School of Pastry, she begin realizing her dreams of opening her own designer cakes and more shop. Yes, you read it right. She is an awesome cake designer. And if you are in Kuala Lumpur, hop over to her designer cake shop where you would droll over Su’s creatively crafted creations. From cupcakes, to birthday’s and designer wedding cakes – the creative concept begins with themes and design ideas tossed around with her clients towards creating a mega show-stopper. Delectable have featured in many articles, and this is just the beginning πŸ™‚

She believes our precious eyes deserve as much a feast as our noses and tastebuds are so lucky to enjoy. Life’s too short for ugly food *wink* by Su Yin.

To visit, sample and drool over Su’s creations, you can visit her shop or contact her at:

Delectable @ S-213, Level 2, The Gardens Mall, Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Don’t worry, she often rants/blogs @ The Journal of a Girl who Loves To Cook

Embracelet for Su Yin :)

Embracelet for Su Yin πŸ™‚

Congratulations Su Yin, for all your achievements! Here is your embracelet πŸ™‚ I hope you like it as much as I have, creating it πŸ™‚

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