As most of you know, I have lived and worked in Melbourne for many years. I live a happy life with my boyfriend, and a super cute dog named Remy. Melbourne is like my second home, with Jon's parents always being so supportive, and a handful of great friends who are always there when you need them. Friends that I might not ring, or ring me everyday, but when help is needed, they never fail to be my pillar of support.
I absolutely love the food and fashion, have grown used to the culture, speak the lingo and now, even drive in Melbourne city! I have been driving for 3 years now... and for those who know me, knows that I am not a big fan of driving! I have survived for many years in KL without knowing how to drive... but hey, now I can negotiate hook turns in the city k?? Amazing huh??
I go back to KL, let's say... once a year? Generally that's the case... and everytime I go home, I feel like I've left a part of me in Malaysia. Needless to say, I always leave with a heavy heart, when I travel down the escalator in KLIA, lugging my hand carry towards the autogate. I must say though, that I have learnt to hold back my tears quite well when I turn back and bid farewell to them...
Mei and Funny having herbal jelly.
The last trip home was no different. I left feeling incomplete, with many loose ends untied, with many regrets, still with an extremely heavy heart.
I've grown closer to my sister as we grew older, funnily! I never used to tell her intimate things about my life, my aspirations. But the times we spent studying together in Melbourne, really brought us together as a family, as best friends. She is tough, unbiased, supportive, and most importantly, non-judgemental when providing advice.
Now that she's working back in Malaysia, being apart from her, really saddens me.
You can choose your friends, and if your friendship falls apart, you can always get new friends. But family is different. Blood is always thicker than water. She's my one and only sister - and the bond we share, only she will understand.
Grandma had cardiac stents done this time around. I have been spending some time with her at home. She had been feeling rather weak, so we didn't go out. Mainly just chatted...
She was quite proud that I drove to her place, braced the Malaysian traffic to see her! **for those of you who drive or live in Malaysia, you know how horrible the traffic in KL is!**
She's aged notably this time around. Since the passing on of granddad earlier on in the year, I don't think she's slept well at all for a night. My heart aches seeing her like that. A big part of me feels like I'm not doing enough for the person who raised me up. Who cooked for us, and dressed us when mom and dad were at work.
Sometimes, it scares me that she will not be around the next time I come home... Not having any solution, I brush that thought off with denial that age is catching up on us. Buy a little bit more time is all I can do.
Mei and mom and dad in Penang
Mom is retired now, and dad is semi-retired but he still travels every week to consult for a pharmaceutical company. Mom was home alot this time around, which made a difference to my trip. I don't feel so alone anymore during the day. I used to spend the days alone when mom and dad, and all my friends were at work. And the only time I get to see them is for dinner, or drinks at night.
I got to savour home cooked meals quite abit this time! I really felt like I was missing out on the family time. Precious time that money can't buy... Times that I never got to enjoy much when mom was working full time, and was living away from home most days of the month due to the nature of her job.
Li Ling and Mei @ La Bodega, Bangsar
I have known this girl for almost 2 decades now. We were inseparable in primary school, did everything together, joined the same clubs, took the public bus for the first time together. I shared alot of my childhood with her - good things, naughty things, good times, bad times, good boyfriend stories, bad break-up stories. We had our disagreements and fights, but never fails to reconcile - and the bond of our friendship only grows stronger.
As time goes by, the need to talk on the phone everyday decreases. Growing up, they call it~!Hehe... We went our separate ways after school, but somewhat managed to keep in touch... and when we get together, we can always catch up from where we left off the last time around. It's almost as if I never left.
Thanks girl, for always being a pair of listening ears, even when there's no solution.
*YOU* & Mei @ La Bodega
For the longest time, you were addressed as *you* on my blog. I feared that someone would know who I was talking about, and what I had done. For the longest time, I believed I deserve to suffer, and for the longest time, I denied myself all reasons to smile and be happy.
But like you said, time heals all wounds. And even if it doesn't heal, it lessens the evidence of the scars. I hope, when you look back, it's the good times that remains forever in your heart. Forgiveness might be easy, but forgetting could take a lifetime.
Thank you for giving me another chance to be your friend despite what happened in the past. I am sure your friends would have advised you otherwise. I cannot thank you enough, and am beyond grateful that we are what we are today.
If it wasn't for you, I would still be that young, inconsiderate girl. Thanks for making me grow up, although it was a painful, difficult process.
.
.
.
So dear all, each and every one of you have made my trip home sooo much more memorable. And your presence, even for this short period of time, have reinstated how important you guys are in my life. I may only have you for a season, but the memories linger for a lifetime.
The fact that I can't have you guys all the time, only makes it soooo much more tangible when I do.
