We Arrived in Malaysia

We arrived in Malaysia at about 12am on Thursday and reached home almost 2am. That's what happens when you try to get a promotional rate via Airasia for THB299. Haha. For a family of four, it did not cost more than THB5,000 / RM500 for a one way trip to Kuala Lumpur. For the last 3 years, we have been on Thai Airways that Ethaniel (7+ years old) was so used to it. So, this little boy was expecting free drinks and food. Unlimited coca-cola, sprite and Pepsi. I told him that Airasia charge for their food. He frowned a little and said, "The other airplane gives free food." That happened when the Company paid.


With a wide smile on my face, I tried to explain to him that the cost of food has been incorporated into the flight ticket at Thai Airways. He seemed to understand but still not very pleased. Come on, you should be happy we don't have to take a 48 hours train / bus ride back to Malaysia.


We bought a bottle of mineral water for THB60/RM6 and since the Nasi Lemak was finished, the boys ordered a bowl of Maggi Noodles. Honestly, we had a full meal before boarding at the Foodcourt in the Suvarnabhumi Airport. Joel had 2 bowls of noodle, Ethaniel had 2 bowls of noodle plus some of my Deep Fried Som Tam. Where does all those food go? Or... Is plane food that yummy to children?


Our first day in Malaysia, we feasted on Nasi Lemak, Mee Goreng, Rojak, ice lemon tea (mamak style), teh tarik (tea), Milo ice (mamak style) and Maggi Mee Goreng. That was just brunch. Dinner we had black noodles, fried rice and hor fun.


It has been a feasting 2 weeks. Non-stop eating at farewells in Bangkok and then back to Malaysia, feasting again on Malaysian food. This time the craving for Malaysian food was not strong because its no rush. I am back to stay. I can take my time to eat all those food.


We visited our newly rented home. Its an old house which needed some touch-up. They were doing painting and polishing of the parquet flooring. After seeing it, Joel said, "It sure needs a good clean up!" It was dusty everywhere, the garden unkept and the back area had rusty fencing. But I am sure with some help from us, as a team, it will be as homely as can be. I like the location mostly. Its a 5-10 mins walk to a foodcourt, clinic, pharmacy, grocery shop, photocopy shop, photoshop, petrol station, hair cut and about 15 mins walk to a major shopping mall. This will be great as we are still looking for a car to purchase. The convenience will be a great help.


The children seems to be doing OK.


I am OK too. I have had 4 months to prepare to return to Malaysia, anyway.


But.


I had a very teary departure at the farewell given by Mary and then again when we left her home to head towards the Airport. It was very sad to leave such a good friend and all the good friends I had in Thailand.


I shall be back.

Arrived Safely

See the excitement of returning home.... written all over the face

I have arrived safety in Malaysia 12am early morning today.


We are all doing well, slowly trying to settle back to our home country. We hope the transition will not be too hard for all of us, especially the children. Please pray for us.


I have limited internet access, so, I might not be able to blog as much as I like.


I am home.

Tomorrow is the Day

My family and I are leaving Bangkok tomorrow.


It feels weird having a countdown... 2 more days... 1 more day... to leave.


Rather than thinking about all the things I will miss, I want to Thank God for all the things and people I have enjoyed throughout my stay in Thailand.


God has blessed me with so many good friends here.... and you are one of them.


One more day and I am leaving.....

Will You Miss ....?

During the farewell dinner hosted by Sophia and Bernard tonight, she asked Ethaniel the following questions....


Sophia: Are you going to miss Josh?


Ethaniel: No.


Sophia: Why?


Ethaniel: Because he is going to visit me.


Me: If you miss him is it because you enjoy his PSP games?


Ethaniel: Noooooo! He is my best friend.


*Answered-with-the-most-earnest-voice-and-confidence-that-only-a-child-can-have-type-of-faith*


Mummy was embarrassed to even have suggested that this 7+ years old boy had ulterior motives.


So shameful.


Just because we adult sometimes have not-so-innocent motives, doesn't mean this little boy does too. Honestly, he is a very good, loyal, give-and-take and kind friend. I would like to have a friend like him.


I should have more faith in this little boy of mine.


Sorry, Ethaniel.

1st Farewell

Our 1st farewell was given by my Hubby's ex-colleague on 7 Feb 09.


The first time we went to their home was when his wife gave birth to twins. They are now almost 2 years old. So cute little girls.


It was a very nice time of catching up, the children played together, we had some delicious Thai food. Such warm and nice Burmese people.


We promise to meet again when they visit Malaysia.


So, see you soon!

It's a Miracle!!

Its a miracle!


Hubby just received his Offer Letter!!!! He has a job!!!


Yahoo!

Woo hoo!

Moo hoo!


So, looks like I can stop eating porridge with salted eggs everyday!


Eventhough the job that we initially had wanted were based in Bangkok but we believe that God has a plan for us to return to Malaysia. So, we are very glad to be going home to a job whilst I hear bad news everyday of Companies closing down.


I would like to Thank You to all of my families, friends, fellow bloggers and all of you out there who have been praying for us.


Thank you for all your kind wishes, caring notes and comments.


Things has been tough but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and its not a train.

Great Job!

The Movers sent 5 packers and a Supervisor on the first day and at the end of the 2nd day there were 10 personnel loading and packing everything. They did their job as if they were born packers. Amazing!


The reason we engaged Allied Pickford was because we knew Neil from Bangkok Soccer League when we initially came and then they started homeschooling their children. So, we got together more often even when my children stopped going for the soccer training.


I am glad I engaged their services. They did well.

The children having a photo shot with the Allied Pickfords banner

The children really enjoyed fooling around ... even a hide-and-seek game

My goodness! How high....

The "little house" beside the house

The packing took 2 full days. The first day they ended at 4.30pm and the 2nd day they finished at 6pm. We initially estimated our goods at 20 ft container but after all the packing, it exceeded. So, we decided to get a 40 ft container.


The goods will take 3 weeks to reach Malaysia inclusive of paper work, clearance and etc.


I hope the unpacking and all will be as good as this. I hope the Malaysian side will not disappoint us. The Thai packers had been excellent.


We are so thankful to God for such a smooth two day - 10 and 11 Feb.... After that, we have to leave the house and stay at our friend's home. Then, catching up with friends, bidding farewells, etc. We have already had our first few rounds of farewell lunch and dinner. After this, almost every lunch and dinner will be packed with farewell get-togethers. Can get quite fun and depressing all at the same time.


Sigh. Part and parcel of the transition process.

Tick... Tick...

I am in a phase where I am looking back... and then looking at the present. Where have I been in the last 3 years, where I am now and where I am going. Maybe its because I know that my time in Bangkok is ticking... ticking... ticking...


Does it happen to people when they get really old? Knowing their time on earth is ticking... ticking... ticking... Looking back to see what has been done and what else can be done.



I paused while writing this post and when I returned, I saw this message..


YOU"RE GETTING OLDER, LAH.........but more BEAUTIFUL!!!!......can't get the best of both worlds......


Someone obviously sneaked in that message. Who is that nosy busy body... You better own up!!! Now!


Sigh.


That's what happens when there are too many male in this home. I am outnumbered 3 to 1.

What did I tell you about me being outnumbered 3 to 1. We need some girls here!!!

See! Now I forgot what I originally wanted to post in this blog. The old thing is taking effect....


Never mind.

How To Say Good bye?

How do you say goodbye to a house?


Kiss it?


Hug it?


Gives it a pat on the.... door? window? floor? gate? roof???


Write a "Thank You" note?


So, how do one say goodbye?


When we came here almost 3 years ago, we stayed at Royal Princess Hotel, Srinakarin for almost 3 long weeks. We expected to stay only for 1 week but there were delays of our goods. Not fun, I tell ya. It was lunch and dinner everyday at Seacon Square. After 3 weeks, I had nightmare of getting lost in Seacon Square Mall... I actually go there for a breather. How do you stay in a hotel room with 2 boys of 4+ and 9+ years old for 3 weeks? Who also incidentally had wiggles in their butts!


Eventually the goods arrived! Hallelujah!!!


The Landlord installed 2 air-conds and the rest of the stuffs we either brought it from Malaysia or purchased it ourselves. The house was a brand new bungalow in a brand new Mooban. We were the first few who came to stay. The place was creepily quiet at nite and blasting loud during the daytime due to constructions and renovations.


Fast forward.


1 year ...


2 years ...


and 10 months...


Time to go... to leave....


Goodbye P Sa, my back neighbor. Extremely friendly and nice neighbor.


Goodbye Air Stewardess from Thaiaways, my front neighbor. Who gives sweets to my sons.


Goodbye weird-bachelor-with-messy-house-who-brings-ridiculously-young-girls-home. Whom I discovered is a doctor. I blogged about him a few months ago. Read it here.


Goodbye K Anna who is retired. I was her neighbor cum counsellor.


Goodbye K Tim & K Ja who are International School teachers. Great sense of humor and makes me laugh. Their children are georgeous!!!


Goodbye Next-Door-Neighbor-Who-Is-Never-At-Home. Thanks for being such a peaceful neighbor.


*heavy heart*


*sad eyes*


*caressing the door knob*


Good bye.

The Moving Day

Its finally here.... The Moving Day.


We are finally having our things all packed up. Put into the box, wrapped, sealed and shipped. I make it sound like hard work but its really a supervisory job. I am just worried that I accidentally pack something I need for the next 1 month. That's my only concern.


Its going to be 2 days of packing. Yes, I know. There's heaps of things. I brought my whole house here 3 years ago and now I am taking my whole house back. I am leaving somethings behind, giving it to my friends. But the rest is coming with me!


Its going to be an interesting day...

Clearing Stuffs

You know, sorting things out is a real tough job. There has not been many occasions in my life whereby I have to do such major sorting.


I have moved house once after I was married, then relocation to Bangkok, 3 years ago. So, I didn't really have that many opportunities to get rid of my junks, sort out my things, I mean.


This time round, I just want to make sure those XS sizes which I used to own will go to someone who will benefit it. Any of you out there like me? Keeping those clothes, hoping that eventually you will fit into them.... like after this crash diet?


After awhile, I kinda got the idea that I wasn't going to get into them. You know, the denial stage over and facing reality.


Its interesting what I find beneath those heaps.... Will let you know when I get the time.

A "Good Bye" Email

I sent the following email to friends whom I met in Thailand, just to let them know that I am leaving soon. A simple message but truly from my heart....

********************

Dear Friends,

The last few months has been a difficult & uncertain time in our life. Some or most of you already know that Ivan, my husband was retrenched early Nov 08. Ever since then he has been looking for a job here in Bangkok but nothing seems concrete. So, the time has come for us to move on and return to our home country, Malaysia. We are not sure what the future holds but we trust God that when we give Him our every need, He will take care of us.

If given the opportunity, we would have loved to stay... We have grown to love this neighbor country, Thailand, the land of smiles immensely. The food! The food!!! We would miss the tom yum gung, green curry, som tam, pad ka paw, bbq chicken with sticky rice and most of all, the fresh fruits which can be purchased cheaply at the market. Being able to eat a meal for THB15. Lol... Impossible in Malaysia.

We would love to meet up and catch up before we leave but if it be so unfortunate that we missed the opportunity and did not manage to say proper good byes, we want you to know that we see our life in Thailand like a huge jigsaw puzzle which God has given to us and you/your family are that one piece, regardless of how large or small the piece is, which perfected the picture.

Our hearts are heavy, having to part ways. As we have discovered, a place is just a place but its the company that makes it fun! We have been so blessed with this brief encounter with you in this past 3 years. Our stay here has been so memorable, adventurous, sweet, exciting because of you.... There is a reason why God has allowed our path to cross, for whatever reason, our life in Thailand have been enriched and we hope that we also have been a blessing to you/your family. A small piece of jigsaw puzzle in the journey of your life, as well.

We would like to wish you all of God's blessing, love, grace and mercy to follow you all the days of your life.

Let's not forget to keep in touch.... Please visit my blog www.psalmone21.blogspot, as I continue the next phase of the Journey of My Life.

Please call on us when you visit Malaysia for work or holiday, we would love to catch up!