Every day's a new and different day.

Well, my 3-day vacation in Penang, Malaysia with my two of my best friends from elementary school has come and gone, in a flash. Jit and I met up with Jess in an airport in Kuala Lumpur, where I got stuck in the "foreigners" immigration line. Let's just say that when I barely made my connection - and only did so because the immigration guards took pity and let me jump the line  (about an hour's wait) in order to make the flight. Thank goodness!

Our plan was to do absolutely nothing in Penang, except to meet up with another school friend and to see my grandmother. Turned out that my grandmother was in hospital and we spent some time there as well as having lunch with my 2 aunts. Other than that, we shopped at some local malls and at the local pasar malam - lots of great deals to be had. We didn't get to sit around the pool and lounge as planned, but we sure did laze around in bed and in our huge room at our hotel, a lot.

And we ate. And ate and ate. And I consumed copious amounts of cold drinks - it was really hot and humid while we were there. If you are ever in Penang or anywhere else in Malaysia for that matter, you must try chicken rice, char kuey teow, penang mee hoon, rojak, ice kacang, chapati, won ton mee and oh so much more. I was thinking how I'd love to take a group of people back to Malaysia with me and share the wonders and fun that is Malaysia with them - and we could throw Singapore into the mix. Shop the local scrap stores and the local pasar malams and stores. How fun that would be. I'm sure I would talk my friends Jess and Jit into joining us, giving us the local flavour and insights into life. Doesn't that sound really fun? I think it would be a blast!

Sadly, my time in Malaysia had to end and off I flew to Japan, and here I am in Osaka. The first few hours here was not so fun as my boxes with all the class supplies and merchandise were MIA. They were due to be delivered either late last week or very early this week - and here I was, the day before the classes, and NOTHING HAD ARRIVED. Talk about having your stomach turned inside out and your heart in your mouth. Finally, after phone calls back to the office, email tracking, calling Japan Post countless times - one box arrived. We later found out that the other boxes were held at the post office and a notice had been dispatched to the store owner who has not seen the notice. Once we had the notice then the boxes were found and I remembered to breathe again.

Everything was accounted for, classes went off well today, and 2 albums were completed. Lots of cutting and stamping and techniques - and prizes for everyone! It was a special day as I turned 35 today, and the class surprised me by presenting me with a birthday album, with photos and a personalized message from all my students. I was so very touched by the thought, and I am glad the day went well, and hope to be back there soon. Thank you, Colors Lovers for having me come and teach!

In the midst of all this, my grandmother has taken a turn for the worst, and the call went out to the extended family. So my dad and his brothers and sisters are all heading back home from all over the world - and I am hoping my grandmother hangs on until they are all by her bedside before she slips away. There's been some close calls but this one seems to be the more severe, and most probably, the final call... so here I sit in my hotel room in Japan, thinking of my grandmother, so glad that I got to see her just a few days ago to give her a hug and kiss and say my goodbyes all over again. I am so blessed to have been able to see her everytime I am back in Asia - so thank you, scrapbooking, for allowing me these chances, you don't know how much they've meant to me.

My grandmother used to tell me, "everyday's a new and different day, every day's a bonus - especially once you turn 80." And now, at 101, I'm sure she's still saying the same thing. I just hope she hangs on one or two more days to have all her children with her before she goes.

This is turning out to be a novel and I am turning into a mush. Tomorrow I am off to Tokyo, and am meeting with some friends before teaching 2 days at Scrapbooking Airlines. Looking forward to it!

Comments

[Edie]

Sorry to hear about your grandmother. You and your family are in my thoughts!

[sasha farina]

she must be so proud of you Kah Mei... she must be. *hugs*

[Cathy]

Happy Birthday again... sounds like you had an awesome day. I'm glad you got to spend time with your grandmother too... wowo 101... that is a good age! I sure hope your family all get to see her too.
Have fun with your continued travels... and if I could afford too I think I would join your trip to Malaysia... sounds like fun!

[Kelli]

Hope your Grandma hangs on! My grandpa's 93 and he's still rearing to go, makes me tired!

[Nicole]

Happy Birthday my friend!!!! I am sorry to hear about your grandma and I hope your family gets to see her in person, and so thankful you got to see her and spend some time with her.