Krystin's off to capture a Capybara.

Actually, I hope she doesn't try to kidnap a capy and bring it home, but it wouldn't be surprising.

If you are not familiar with what a capybara is, here you go:

Look at that face.  How can you not want one?

They are kind of doggy size.

We took this pic in Australia for Krystin.

Ok.  So Why is Krystin off to Capture, I mean visit, the Capybaras?

Part of her school program requires the students to participate in a week long basically foreign excursion.  Last year she went to Paris with Logan.  They students are able to choose from some 10+ destinations, I believe.  The destinations are all over the world, New Zealand, France, South Africa, Fiji, Cambodia, China, Malaysia (where Krystin is), and a few others.  What a cool opportunity.  Seriously, by the time the students graduate they truly become global citizens.

The trip to France was pretty easy to prepare for.  Nice outfits, some warm coats, and some cash.  That is about all they needed.  Well, Malaysia is pretty much the opposite of that.  For Malaysia, they needed things such as leech socks, Wellington boots, and binoculars. The Malaysia trip is a trip focused on Wild Life Conservation.  They will be staying in small villages in the middle of the Malaysian Rainforest, assisting in wildlife rehabilitation for the orangutans and sun bears, planting trees, petting some Capybaras (krystin hopes) and much more.  The rainforest as it is near the equator is always warm and humid.  It is predicted to be 92 degrees and 80% humidity the entire time, oh and it rains a LOT (rainforest).  So very HOT and WET with LOTS of mosquitoes.  We were told not to send the kids with the deet free mosquito repellent as it will not work at all there.  Considering Krystin gets devoured with the regular Deet free stuff at home, we sent her with the toxic Deet stuff.  Oh, we also sent her with what was suggested leggings and long sleeve shirts, as they said this is the only way to really keep safe from leeches and mosquitos...

I seriously hate shopping for shoes in Hong Kong. 

It always makes me feel like I have clown feet!

My girls were fortunate enough to inherit my feet, which didn't feel big in the U.S..  

Size 9 women's if you are wondering.

Well, Krystin was told she NEEDED Wellington boots. They are a MUST.  They will live in them. We were like, ok what in the heck is a wellington boot?  Luckily, google was there to save the day.  Rain boots.  They are RAIN BOOTS! I have a few pairs in storage in California. I know really helpful.  They will be tromping in swamps with leeches, and who knows what else, so you didn't have to tell us twice to buy some here.  However, we had the darndest time finding any, let alone with the size requirements. Seriously, we were looking everywhere!

Krystin's friend Queennie, who also happened to be going on the trip offered to help her find some! They went to markets all over Mong Kok (we heard that was a good place to look).

I started receiving hopeful texts from her with pics like these: 

Yes.  They are cute, but no they are not rain boots.

Not sure what these are, no.

I just imagine leeches sliming in to the holes... no.

Finally, she found these!

Good enough, even though I do believe they are a little small. 

Size 8 in Womens.  She said they are fine.

 Luckily the boots are generously sized.

Lily liked them. 

 With Leggings.

Long sleeve shirts. check! 

She was as ready to go as she was going to get. 

We didn't get much sleep making sure she had everything, and she had to be at the airport at 6am, yuck!  Luckily, we only live 10 mins from the airport.  Yay!

Todd and I got up early and escorted her in the darkness to send her on her way.

The upside, at 5:45am it is easy to get a cab. 

The sun was just beginning to rise on our way. 

People were sleeping all over the airport, ha! 

Krystin and her friends.

Duffy was there to see her off.

Please notice Krystin did bring one of her (many) capybaras along.

I found it striking that the majority of the girls had TINY suitcases or only a back pack. How is that possible?  I packed Krystin's  suitcase and I could barely fit everything she needed into the giant purple one.

Daddoo, baby-bug, and Mommallama 

The brave teachers that are chaperoning and running the show.

It was fun to see the variety of passports the students had.

So girls have tiny suitcases (except Krystin) and the boys... they had super-sized ones.  Just seemed backwards to me.  

The group! 

Bye Baby!  See you in a week! 

Since it was like 7am and we were awake (sort of), Todd and I had a secret breakfast date! 

Random things that have nothing to do with this post.

This was on the wall in the MTR, and it seemed a little creepy and macabre to me.

And...  I am convinced that Dalek's from Dr. Who, are secretly infiltrating our homes in other forms...  I know it is true.  They are slowly getting in position for their take over, hahaha. 

The students won't have connectivity while in Malaysia, which is going to be a little hard on me, but I am excited for the opportunity Krystin has to fully explore the field she is so interested in joining, before heading off to study it!  

Probably the last pic I will get for the week.

They are safe in Kaula Lampur airport!

I sent my camera with her, so hopefully she will have many pictures and great stories to share upon her return!

We miss her already!