I’ve been wondering what to blog about… Life has been so hectic lately, that there is almost too much to say! Instead let me summarise in a few (?) bullet points.
- Penang laksa = awesome
- Penang loh mee = double awesome
- Last minute business trip = tiring
- Last minute business trip combined with assignment due dates = no sleep
- Shanghai subway @ peak hour = not as bad as KL monorail @ peak hour
- Travel delays = inevitable, frustrating, and please can I shove the woman who just pushed in front of the queue out of the way?
- More travel delays = tears
- Langkawi = relief to get off the freaking plane. Now if only I had had time to go home and pack clothes for a holiday.
- Langkawi seafood = I don’t eat it, but ohmigod, is that really a prawn? How huge is that??
- Flight home = more delays? Thank God this time I’m with family
- Home = hot shower. Clean clothes. Heaven.
So to sum it up, I’ve been busy. My parent-in-laws have been here for the past couple of weeks, and we have been actively entertaining them. In the middle of all this, work organised a hurried trip to Shanghai for me. Shanghai would have been absolutely amazing, had it not been for the fact that I had an assignment to do. So rather than enjoying the city after the work day was over, I had to stay locked up in my hotel room slaving away over “The Global Knowledge Economy”. Sigh.
On the way out of Shanghai, Pudong International Airport presented itself as the most amazing, efficient, and secure airport I’ve been to. Unfortunately having boarded the plane on time we were then informed the flight would be delayed indefinitely. 1 hour and 15 minutes later I was wondering whether or not I would have time to return home, re-pack my bags and head back to the airport in time for my next flight.
Upon landing back in KL, there appeared to be just enough time to get out of the airport, jump onto the KLIA Express and get home in time to re-pack my bags (“weekend here I come!”) and head back to the airport. Unfortunately the experience at KL was a major fail… a 1 hour wait in line at immigration and a hideous search for my bag in baggage claim trashed that plan completely.
Instead I found myself with my laptop and other work stuff in tow, on the bus heading towards the low cost carrier terminal, arriving with only 5 minutes to spare before check-in for my flight to Langkawi closed. I breathed a sigh of relief that my weekend would be starting shortly, only to find myself almost in tears upon hearing the announcement that my flight would be delayed for 40 minutes.
Thankfully Vincent and his parents who were already in Langkawi were able to adjust to my new arrival time and came to pick me up, with an awesome serving of Singapore noodles with them!
Fast forward through a pretty nice trip (which included the buying of an emergency change of clothes and shoes for me as I refused to wear the same jeans and heels I had been wearing for the past 3 days), back to the airport… And another 40 minute flight delay.
Despite the fact that the actual time spent in Langkawi and not at the airport was wonderful, I have never been more relieved to return home. A hot shower and a clean change of clothes made the weekend seem less frantic and more enjoyable.
So that has been my life lately. Multiple trips to the airport, and extensive delays. I hope that the next few weeks are more sedate!
Ah, laksa! How I miss that dish so much!
Sorry to hear that delays really messed with your emotions. I would probably be just as frustrated. Thank goodness for the presence of family to keep your grounded and sane. I also hope that life slows down enough so you can take a small break from your busy schedule.
Wow, you have been busy!