Three weeks ago today I was on the way back home to the land of nasi lemak, teh tarik, and everything boleh after spending three months in the land of hamburger, beer and everything… free. I reached home after 30 hours of travelling to the confused face of my daughter. I truly believed that she had almost forgotten who I was!
We headed to McDonald's as soon as I touched down. Ironic.
3 months is a long long time when you have growing children. Before I left, my eldest barely read and write; my second barely talked; and my newborn still fit into size S diapers. Now everything turned upside down.
We had 12 days and I tried as much as I can to make the best of it. I sorted out 3 months of documents and mails that piled up in the back room. I settled bills, debts and summons. I dealt with bureaucracy. I had to send the infamous janda to yet another needed repairs… on a tow truck. I went back to my hometown for a day for my parents and brothers. I witnessed Bersih 2.0; no rewards for guessing where I stand on that matter. I took my family for a vacation in a cheap hotel and spent an entire day at a water park. I went to work but didn't really do any work at all. I went on a date with my wife like good old times, watching the epic ending of Harry Potter; of course I was actually WATCHING and being emotional while the missus barely kept her eyes open. Like good old times indeed. I had good food all the time.
I had 12 days, and 12 days passed soon enough.
Last week I journeyed 42 hours back to Maryland, USA. I’m kinda broke (as if I ever was not) and a little bit low-spirited. I missed my family the moment I stepped into the plane, yet the odd thing was that it also felt like coming back to another home.
Of course it’s easy to say that when you are living on company tab.
