There's no place like home

The Christmas reindeer

Silly Games!

I seem to have lost all track of days but I think it is Wednesday and I am in Ranau but having left on New Year's Eve and only having a "sleep" on the plane, I'm feeling slighty delirious. Anyway I'm back at my little house that has been locked up for 6 weeks. The only real problem is that the water has been cut off and we can't find where at the moment. So a bucket of water will suffice for the time being and I just have to sweep the dead insects and gecko droppings up and it will be returned to normality - the advantages of having a small, new house. My car has been serviced and polished while I have been away and looks very smart. My landlady/ friend came to meet me from the bus station in Ranau and I was pleased that  the mini bus driver recognised me in KK and I paid the local price (5 ringitts cheaper than orang putihs!) Even Mount Kinabalu decided to welcome me despite being hidden for 4 hours up the mountain, she suddenly revealed herself when I arrived in Ranau. So as I sit writing this, missing all my loved ones and home in France, I am listening to the constant cricket sounds and watching the fireflies dancing around the garden thinking it IS nice to be back. I start work tomorrow and have managed to carry 20 kilos of children's books which I'm looking forward to sharing with everyone. The next nine months , I know will fly by and I really want to make the most of it.... so no more moping and wishing I was home. If  all year could be like the Christmas holidays with all of the family around coming and going and a whirl of socializing then I would never want it to end, however the reality is that it isn't and the family have all got their own lives and work to be getting on with and so must I. I had such a wonderful time seeing everyone and I do miss you all very much - thank you dear family and friends for making me realise "There's no place like home".

Christmas dinner

I hope everyone has a very happy and healthy 2013.

PS. I can't upload any photos still - must be my internet here - will attempt to find out why.