1 August 2009, Saturday
Montgomery, near Houston, TX
I woke up and had a Texas sized serving of Honey Nut Cheerios for breakfast. Later in the morning, I went outside, where I played with the water pistol. It's hard to win, when Auntie Adrianne was using the water hose...that didn't seem to run out of water!

Mum gave me a new dinosaur colouring book and I filled out a couple of pages with my crayons, before I tried to help Auntie Adrianne wrap up Caitie's birthday gifts. It was her 19th a couple of days ago, and her Mum, Auntie Patti was organising a small gathering for us to celebrate it with her this evening. Mum had got our present for Caitie a couple of days ago, and I hope she will like it.
Later in the afternoon, we headed out to the shops, as Auntie Adrianne wanted to get me a Texas Longhorn t shirt. We managed to find a t shirt and shorts set in Wal Mart. I'm not sure what's the big deal about the Texas Longhorns, but I did like the logo on it!

In the evening, we piled into Uncle Jack's truck again and headed to the Woodlands for Caitie's birthday gathering. We stopped on the way for some balloons. It was good to see Caitie again, and she seemed to remember me and was happy to see me too. She opened her presents, asking for help with some, and it was good to see her happy and enjoying the attention. Auntie Patti also had some nice food prepared and even made some macaroni and cheese, just for me.
Clay brought out a really cool Sponge Bob Pinball Machine for me to play with, and I'm sure I would have had a great time on it, if Dad didn't keep playing with it! After having some cake, we got ready to leave, with Caitie. She's coming out to the ranch with us tomorrow.

I'm really excited about going to the ranch. I'll see cattle, more horses and who knows what else? Coyote, or maybe bear, or even snakes? What I did see tonight though, was a possum. Funny looking creatures, they are. A bit like an over sized rat!

2 August 2009, Sunday
Drive from Montgomery, TX to San Geronimo, New Mexico
Mum woke me up early today. We are driving out to the K Bar K Ranch in New Mexico. It’s a long drive. All day in fact. About 13 hours in all. I had some cereal for breakfast and my last frozen yogurt from the freezer. We drove off in two trucks – Uncle Jack, Aunty Adrianne and Caitie in one truck and Dad, Mum and I in Tuah.

We passed the huge statue of Sam Houston along the way and had a couple of stops to stretch our legs. There was even a town on the way named after me – Adrian. As we crossed the border from Texas to New Mexico, we saw many lovely colours in the sky. It was a lovely sunset, with a storm at the same time.
I fell asleep soon after and was carried into bed by Mum.

3 August 2009, Monday
San Geronimo, NM
I was up early, and told to go back to bed by Mum. I knew we were somewhere new, and wanted to know if we were at the ranch. Eventually I was allowed up, and met Uncle Jeff, a friend of Uncle Jack, who works on the ranch. He took me around and showed me the area. Once we were all up and ready, we took a drive out to the town to have a Mexican breakfast. I had some hot cakes, which were like pancakes.

After breakfast, we headed next door to the Wal Mart to pick up some groceries and willies for Mum and me to run around in on the ranch. When we got back, I watched the Bee Movie with Caitie, while the grownups did some chores. Later in the afternoon, I met the two horses, Chief and Buck. After that, we took a drive around the ranch, which was a HUGE area, looking for the cattle, who were grazing in one of the fields around the back. They were huge and now I see why they are called Longhorns!
We rounded up some of the cattle and gave them some treats, then headed back to the ranch for dinner. It was a great day. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for us tomorrow!

4 August 2009, Tuesday
San Geronimo, NM
Today I had my first paying job. No it’s not really considered child labour. I was given an allowance for helping out on the ranch. I was given this big magnet with a string attached to pull around on the ground to pick up any nails lying around. It was hard work, but I filled up a whole cup full of nails. Later in the afternoon, I dove into town with Dad and Uncle Jack, and used my hard earned money to buy myself a new Ben10 toy!

Mum was preparing some Malaysian Satay and Fried Rice for dinner, which we all enjoyed. It was another great day.

5 August 2009, Wednesday
San Geronimo, NM
Just as I was finishing breakfast, a truck comes up the driveway to deliver the hay Uncle Jack had ordered for the cattle. It was put into the barn with the help of a machine. Once that was done, we took a trip into town. Las Vegas in New Mexico is a little cowboy town. We visited some antique shops, some galleries and a nice shop that sold cowboy wear.

Mum bought me a real Red Indian arrow, which I really like. That’ll go in my room when we are back in Kuala Lumpur, with my other little souvenirs of our travels. When we got back to the ranch, I played with the horses, Chief and Buck and then we got ready for dinner. I like life on the ranch!

6 August 2009, Thursday
San Geronimo and Santa Fe, NM
We were taking a daytrip today to the town of Santa Fe. It’s a lovely old town, with lots of wooden and mud buildings, just like in an old western movie! There were lots of Red Indians there trading their wares and plenty of galleries and souvenir shops.

In the middle of town, was the beautiful Cathedral of St Francis of Assisi, which was about the largest building in town. We sat in the square a while, watching all the going ons and Mum bought be a rock with a fossil of a fish in it, from one of the galleries.
Back at the ranch, we headed out to look for the cattle and rounded them up to give them some treats. I went with Uncle Jack, Aunty Adrianne and Caitie in the truck and Mum went with Uncle Jeff on the ATV. The cows seemed to like my new Texas Longhorn outfit, which Aunty Adrianne bought for me in Houston. I wonder why?
There was a beautiful sunset over the ranch on our way back, with a rainbow in the sky as well. That’s one of the reasons why New Mexico is known as the land of Enchantment – it’s beautiful colours In the sky and land.

7 August 2009, Friday
San Geronimo and Red River, NM
Dad needed to find an internet connection today, and Mum suggested the Plaza Hotel In town, where we had tea a couple of days ago. Uncle Jack dropped us off then went into Wal Mart to pick up some supplies.

When we were done we drove out of town into the mountains to Cimarron, where Dad, Uncle Jack and I visited a Taxidermist, who Uncle Jack used to preserve some of the heads of animals he hunted and some bulls from the ranch. From there, we drove on to the Eagles Nest and finally a ski resort village called Red River. The views were fantastic and Red River looked a mix between a cowboy town and a Swiss Alps town.  We saw some pronghorn deer and some prairie dogs in the fields.  It was getting late by the time we left  and again, we were treated to a wonderful display of colours in the sky.

8 August 2009, Saturday
San Geronimo, NM
We decided not to do too much today. It would be a relaxing one. Caitie and i watched a bit of TV and we spent much of the day outside, on the terrace with the horses, Chief and Buck. I saw a bunny rabbit outside the barn and Uncle Jack even gave me my own real cowboy lasso. It looked a bit like a hoola-hoop to me, but I was soon given a demonstration, as to how it is supposed to be used.

Uncle Jeff prepared the rattle snake skin Uncle Jack and Aunty Adrianne gave me. He cleaned out the salt it was being preserved in and rubbed some leather conditioner on it to soften it up. I'm really excited about it.
Mum and Aunty Adrianne roasted some green chilli peppers and Aunty Adrianne made some fresh salsa. We had some chicken and corn on the cob for dinner, which was great. I love corn!

9 August 2009, Sunday
San Geronimo and Carlsbad, NM
Uncle Jack, Aunty Adrianne and Caitie head back to Houston today. The plan is that Dad, Mum and I will head off later in the day for a place called Carlsbad, where tomorrow we will visit the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, another Unesco World Heritage Site, and the White Sands National Park, before heading back to the K Bar K Ranch for another night, then heading north from there.
After breakfast, we said goodbye to our hosts. We have spent most of the last 3 weeks with them and they have been so kind and hospitable and generous. I will certainly miss them very much.
Dad and Mum packed up most of our stuff, and after some sandwiches for lunch, we said our goodbyes to Uncle Jeff. We'll be seeing him back at the Ranch in a day or two, though, but even then, I will miss his company. His nickname for me is Short Round, and he is a great fun!

Our drive took us through a few small towns, and one of them in particular stood out as off. It was a town called Roswell, where there was the UFO Museum. There were lots of alien themed things in the town. Dad and Mum had no interest though and we just drove through, arriving at Carlsbad in the late evening.

10 August 2009, Monday
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Alamogordo, NM
Mum and I were awake before Dad. He wasn't doing so well with his water retention, and was quite uncomfortable, so Mum decided to let him sleep in and we got ready and went to the breakfast room for breakfast, packing something back for Dad. We met him on the way back, though and headed back to the room, where he had some breakfast, while Mum got our stuff together.
We drove off towards the Caverns, where we got our entry passes for free, as Mum had bought a one year membership that gace us free entrance to all the National Parks in the USA. It would have been an hours walk to get to the entrance of the caves, but we took the lift down, so we did it in one minute.

It was quite an amazing sight, all those formations and pools, but after a while, the next cave looked like the one before, to me. I was told that sound travelled very far in caves, and Mum said I was not to make too much noise. It's hard having to whisper for so long!

After the caves, we made tracks through some wonderful canyons, mountains and valleys, to a town called Alamogordo, where we managed to get some Fish and Chips for dinner, and then checked into a motel for the night. Tomorrow, we will be going to the White Sands National Monument. Uncle Jeff said it's like going to the beach without water...maybe he meant a desert?

11 August 2009, Tuesday
The White Sands National Monument and San Geronimo, NM
Dad and Mum had apparently been awake most of the night, as Dad's water retention problems were getting worse and they had been consulting Dad's Cardiologist in Kuala Lumpur and trying to make a decision as to what to do next.

Anyway, we eventually took off for the White Sands, a desert area about 20 minutes from where we were, with white sand dunes. Again, our annual America The Beautiful Pass got us in for free, and Mum rented a sled for me. It look like my frisbee, which Aunty Audrey and Cousin Ciara gave me when we met them in Philadelphia, only a lot bigger...big enough for me to sit in! Well, actually big enough for Dad and Mum to sit in, too.

We all had fun climbing up the dunes and then sliding down in the sled. It was really hot though, and while I played with my sand pit toys, Mum held an umbrella over me to protect me from the sun. before we left, Dad and Mum bought me a Junior Ranger vest. It's cool.
Driving back towards the K-K Ranch in San Geronimo, we even passed a small tornado, or twister. The wind was very strong, eventhough it was a short distance away from us, in a field. It was good being back at the ranch and seeing Uncle Jeff again. He's such great fun. Mum cooked some fried noodles for dinner, which Uncle Jeff loves.

12 August 2009, Wednesday
Gallup, NM
I was sad this morning, having to say goodbye to Uncle Jeff. I'm going to miss him calling me 'Short Round', too. We had breakfast in Las Vegas town, and we gave him a photo album of pictures we had taken of him and with him during our time at the K-K Ranch. It was good to know, though, that Aunty Adrianne's knee operation had gone well in Houston this morning.
We drove off towards Gallup, at the New Mexico/Arizona border, where we planned to spend the night and then head up towards Mum's friends in San Francisco, Uncle Colin and Aunty Angela. We were going to leave Tuah with them while we fly out to Kuala Lumpur for a couple of weeks to sort out Dad's health issues.
The drive was through mountains, valleys and lots of Indian Reservations. This is Red Indian country, alright! We arrived in Gallup and checked into a motel, when Mum got a message from Dad's cardiologist in Kuala Lumpur, saying that he would rather Dad had a consultation before boarding the plane home. It was at that moment, too that Dad read about a local hospital in one of the newsletters in the room, called the Rehoboth McKinely Christian Healthcare Service Hospital. Dad called up to see if there was anyone he could speak to tonight and was told to come into A&E.
Mum prepared some dinner, which we ate and then drove off to the hospital. Dad was registered and given an interview, then taken to a bay where he was seen to by the physician on duty. They took some bloods for test, did a chest x ray and an ECG and an ultrasound and eventually decided to have Dad admitted for the night and see a Cardiologist in the morning.

It was almost midnight, by the time Mum drove me back to the motel and gave me a bath. I was so tired, that I fell asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow.

13 August 2009, Thursday
Gallup, NM
Mum was already in the shower when I woke up. I missed Dad this morning, but Mum said we were going to visit him in hospital after breakfast. Mum took a bag with Dad's toiletries and a change of clothes and we drove to the hospital to find him in his room.

Mum spoke to the Cardiologist who explained what he believed caused the water retention to get to bad, and Dad was given an IV diuretic to help flush out the access fluids. They brought in a huge machine to check his legs and his heart for blood clots and had a small machine hooked up on him, called a holster, to record his heartbeat. I helped Dad's Personal Care Assistant, the most wonderful lady called Lisa, hook him up, and even pressed the button on the machine to check his blood preassure.
They will be doing more tests on Dad tomorrow, so with luck, they will allow him out on Friday. Dad also now has to go on a low sodium diet, which means he shouldn't be eating all my crisps!

14 August 2009, Friday
Gallup, NM
Again, Mum and I head out to the hospital to see Dad after our breakfast. We got there as someone was using some machine to see what's happening inside his abdomen. Mum said Dad and her saw me before I was born on one of those machines. Cool. Dr Kim, one of the doctors attending to Dad came in and explained that though the fluids were out of Dad's feet and Dad could now wiggle his toes, the fluids in his abdomen would take much longer to subside. Dad was much more comfortable today than he had been in a while though.

Lisa was not on duty today. I wish she was. She's the most delightful person on the ward. One of the hospital staff gave me a colouring book, though, and some crayons, and Mum was given a story book for me, by the lady at the information desk. I had a wonderful chat, too with Mary, an Interior Designer from Utah, who was waiting for a friend to see the doctor.
Before we left in the evening, Mum got confirmation that Dad will be discharged tomorrow, but Dad and Mum have made a decision that we will be heading to Uncle Colin and Aunty Angela's in San Francisco over the weekend, and fly out to Kuala Lumpur from there, for Dad's Cardiologist in Kuala Lumpur, Dr Nik Halmey, to check Dad over and address  whatever needs to be seen to.
I can't wait for us to pick Dad up from the hospital tomorrow, and it'll be the three of us and Tuah again together.

15 August 2009, Saturday
Gallup, NM, The Four Corners (borders of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico & Colorado) and Flagstaff, AZ
Mum and I were both up early today. I guess it was the anticipation of having Dad back. We had breakfast and checked out of the motel.

At the hospital, Dad was still in his bed. Dr Kim, one of the Cardiologist came in a few moments later and had a chat with Dad and Mum about Dad's condition. Dad then had the IV needle and his holster, which recoded his heart activity removed and had a shower. i think he was happy to change into his own clothes, instead of the hospital gown this time!
We got copies of Dad's medical reports and imaging that was done and Dad was then discharged from the hospital. We don't know the final total of the hospital bill yet, as they will send us an invoice after 10 days or so.
We drove towards the Four Corners, the spot where the borders of the states of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado meet. I could sit in the middle and visit all four states at the same time! Mum bought some Navajo Frybread, which is a traditional Red Indian food. I liked it.

We passed through miles of deserts and canyons and highlands. In fact at one point we were very close to the Grand Canyon. Uncle Jeff told me about this place. He said it's the most amazing huge hole in the ground. Dad thought of going in to have a look, but Mum wanted to drive on, so that we could get to Uncle Colin and Aunty Angela by tomorrow night. As it is, we have more than 12 hours on the road tomorrow.
We stopped for the night in Flagstaff, which is also on Route 66, but in the state of Arizona. It's nice to have Dad with us today.

16 August 2009, Sunday
Drive from Flagstaff, AZ to San Leandro, near San Francisco, CA
Mum was up at 7am, and Dad and I were, too, soon after. We had breakfast and then got ready for the long drive today to San Francisco, where we will be staying with Uncle Colin and Aunty Angela, Mum's friends from Ipoh, Malaysia.
Our GPS estimated the journey to take just more than 12 hours. Dad and Mum were taking turns at the wheel, and I just did my own thing, as usual. We drove through the lush green aspen mountains and eventually started going down hill and before we knew it we were back in the desert. We crossed the border into California and were soon stuck in a traffic jam due to roadworks. Eventually, we got through it and carried on, stopping at a rest area every three hours or so for a toilet break and to stretch our legs and change drivers.
At Fresno, we passed a huge meat distribution centre. We smelled the cows for miles before we arrived at it. there were thousands of cows there! There were also lots of fruit plantations, grape vines and flowers on either side of the Interstate. In the evening, we drove into the sunset for what seemed a long, long time. Mum was amazed at how long the sunset lasted and the colours were beautiful.

We arrived at Uncle Colin and Aunty Angela's home before 10pm and it was great to meet them, Aunty Elizabeth (Aunty Angela's sister), and Seymour, the dog. After catching up on what's been happenning, Uncle Colin helped Mum book our flights back to KL, to arrive on Thursday afternoon. and we had a good nights sleep.

17 August 2009, Monday
San Leandro, near San Francisco, CA
I was up soon after Mum, quite early in the morning. I had breakfast with Aunty Angela and Aunty Elizabeth, before they left for work. Uncle Colin was driving in to work today, so he could go later and come back sooner.

Mum backed Tuah up into the driveway, and had the garage door opened so she could unload everythinf and sort through our stuff, tidy up the truck and shut down the fridge. I was able to play in the fantastic playground right next to the house. There were apple trees and fig trees, too, and I was playing with some of the small apples that had fallen off the trees.
Dad had a lie in this morning, and had found his right foot was beginning to swell up again, slowly but surely. Both Dad and Mum are glad we managed to book the flight last night, and that we will be back in Kuala Lumpur pretty soon to have him sorted out properly.
By the time Uncle Colin came home in the afternoon, we had almost sorted out our stuff, and tomorrow we will get some boxes to pack them into for the flight home. I'm taking back most of my favourite toys with me, and my precious new souvenirs from the USA.

Later in the evening, I followed Uncle Colin and Aunty Angela out to take Seymour out for a walk. we stoppped at the playground on the way, and also played with my frisbee. When we got back, Mum gave me a quick shower and we headed out for dinner at an Indian Restaurant nearby. I was happy and thought I'd be able to have some Red Indian Frybread, like I had at the Four Corners a couple of days back. Mum sort of said ok and ordered me smonething called a 'poori' and sprinkled some sugan on it...it was not quite the same, but I was rather hungry and sleepy by now, so ate it, grumbled for a minute or two about the cook not making the Indian bread as well as the Red Indian made his Indian bread...then I was off to sleep, half on my chair, half on Mum's lap.

19 August 2009, Wednesday
San Leandro and San Francisco, CA
Aunty Angela and Aunty Elizabeth had left for work before I woke up this morning. I had some toast for breakfast and then after Uncle Colin had left for work, Dad and Mum got to work on sorting out some last minute stuff with Tuah.
Around noon, we drove out to the nearby Wal Mart to pick up some packing boxes and bits and pieces and then grabbed some lunch and headed back to finish all the packing. We were ready just as Uncle Colin got home from work, and while he walked Seymour, the dog, we had our showers and got ready to leave.

First, we headed over the Bay Bridge to Aunty Angela’s  Bridal Studio, in the city. It was a beautiful, large shop, with many Cinderella like gowns and shoes. We then, headed out in two cars – Dad, Uncle Colin and me in one car, and Mum, Aunty Angela and Aunty Elizabeth in another, and drove to see the Golden Gate Bridge, the Coiz Tower and the famous Crocked Street plus some of the other sites in san Francisco, before getting a special view of the city by night, from the top of the Westin Hotel and dinner at a very popular place, called the Cheesecake Factory.

Once again, during dinner, I fell asleep, and apparently did not wake up again, till a few hours before the plane landed in Taipei. It seems that Uncle Colin and Aunty Angela had waited for us to check in at the airport. Dad had assistance, so we did not have to queue up too long at security, and we were taken straight to the gate for boarding

I wish I was awake to say goodbye and thank you to Uncle Colin, Aunty Angela and also Aunty Elizabeth, before we left. They have been absolutely brilliant and they will look after Tuah for us, too, while we are back in Kuala Lumpur.

20 August 2009, Thursday
Flight from San Francisco, CA to Taipei, TWN and onwards to Kuala Lumpur, MYS
When I woke up, we were 3 hours away from landing in Taipei, where we had a 3 hour transit before our flight to Kuala Lumpur. The plane was a little old and did not have the little personal TV screen in front of me. I had to amuse myself with the few toys I had in my backpack.
At Taipei, Dad was given wheelchait assistance and we were waiting in a transit lounge for a couple of hours before we could board the next flight. Dad used to push me around in my pushchair, when I had one, so today, it was my turn to give Dad a ride.

On the next leg of our flight, we sat in the bulkhead and had our own TV screens. I watched Monsters vs Aliens about 3 times before we were ready to land in Kuala Lumpur. Aunty Ami and Uncle Rahim were there to meet us at the airport, and Mama was already at home waiting for us. She had arrived the previous day with Kakak Su, to help look after me, while Dad and Mum were getting Dad's medical issues sorted.
It was a long day, and by 7pm, I curled up in my favourite dogbed and went to sleep

21 August 2009, Friday
Kuala Lumpur, MYS
Dad and Mum thought that as I went to sleep at 7pm last night, I would probably sleep through till morning...I did....3am in the morning. Anyway, somehow, I found myself being forced to go back to sleep at 6am, and when i woke up again at 9am, Dad and Mum were getting ready to head out to the hospital, for Dad to meet up with his Cardiologist, Dr Nik Halmey.
I spent the day at home with Mama, playing games, riding my push bike to the shop with her and doing some painting and colouring. Dad and Mum came back in the late afternoon, to spend an hour with me, before they went back to the hospital for Dad to be admitted for more IV diuretics to be given to him, like they did in Gallup, and a few more tests to be done. Inspite of all that, he had the time to bring me back an Ultraman toy!
Mum said that Dad will be away in hospital for a few days, and because there's some pig flu thing called the H1N1 going on here in Malaysia, they'd rather not have me hanging around the hospital. By the time Mum arrived home, I had fallen asleep on the sofa.

22 August 2009, Saturday -30 August 2009, Sunday
Kuala Lumpur, MYS
Dad had been hospital since the day after we arrived back in KL, and Mama has been staying home with me, while Mum spent part of the day at the hospital with Dad. I did a lot of watercolours and art and craft, watched a bit of TV and would happily follow Mama out to the shops, giving me a chance to ride my push bike.
Because of the H1N1 virus being so rampant in Kuala Lumpur, Mum did not take me to the hospital to visit Dad. I haven't been able to visit Tok Mak, my paternal Grandmother, yet, either, as Uncle Ghee and Aunty Boon who live with her, are both unwell with a bad flu.
On Monday evening, though, Mum took Mama and I to my favourite shopping centre in KL, Bangsar Village, and I was allowed to choose one toy from Toys R Us. We had dinner at my favourite Fish and Chip shop and Mum bought me a new high back booster car seat, as I had outgrown my MaxiCosi and my new snazzy Recaro booster was in Tuah.
Anyway, Dad came home on the 27th. He's not quite out of the woods yet, but the diuretics he has been given in hospital has flushed out most of the water being retained, and his medication dosage has been changed. He is feeling much more comfortable and will be meeting up with a cardiac failure specialist in the National Heart Insitute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur, soon, to discuss the best options to rectify his condition.

31 August 2009, Monday
Kuala Lumpur, MYS
Today is a special day - I am 5! It's also a national holiday in Malaysia, as we celebrate our 52nd year of Independance today!
Dad and Mum gave me a set of GI Joe figures and Mama gave me a box of Bendaroos. This evening, Godpa, Godma, Aunty Ami, Uncle Rahim and some other friends were coming over for dinner to celebrate my birthday with me. Mum prepared some meat for the BBQ and Dad and Godpa cooked it over the coals. It was a brilliant but tiring day!