OFFICIALLY and finally on holiday

Well, well, well...As of yesterday, I am officially on holiday. By this, I mean that I am many many miles away from receiving calls from work asking me to fill in when I'm supposed to have finish work on NY eve. (Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my new job but when you are suppose to be on holiday and have to go into work..that's not so cool).

Anyhow, I flew out early arvo yesterday and arrived safely in KL later that nite. There is a 5hr time difference and currently still running on NZ time. Thus, haven't had much sleep; actually, sleep has been rather lacking all week. The 10hr flight was torture but nonetheless, I'm off the plane now. Since being in Melb, I've had quite a strong hatred for flying. Every year for 3.5yrs, I flew back and forth between Melb and KL 4 times a year with each leg of the trip taking 8hrs long. So now, the thought of flying really fills me with dread.

So, dad and Auntie Jacqie (a long time family friend of ours) came by and picked me up from the airport and we headed for supper. It was good...I'm looking forward to more food to come. Tonite, we are having dinner with my dad's sister and the family. I'm looking forward to seeing the kids again and just reconnecting with them. They have grown up HEAPS....and of course, I'm looking forward to the food too! I'll try and remember to take photos.

This past week was originally assigned for me to get a whole heap of cleaning, organising and packing done before I left. However, for those of you whom I have told bout my boss and his arm, I ended giving him Mon & Tues. But me being me, I sucked myself into working Wed as well and somehow managed to say to him that I'll give him a half day on Fri. So, I pretty much worked all week. How do I always get myself into situations like that?!

Due to the work situation, I was rather stressed out and rushed when it came to organising my packing. It did get done and I remembered everything that I needed to bring too. Oh, and I came in under weight!!! Considering how much I had to bring back as prezzies, I was VERY surprised.

I can't really say in one word how I feel bout this trip coz there is no one word to describe it but rather many words; excited, nervous, apprehensive...I'm excited to reconnect with family that I haven't seen for many years and had very little communication with them too. I'm excited about my trip to Vietnam and Singapore. I'm excited about being able to travel with friends. But I am nervous and apprehensive because everything is different. Nervous coz I don't know what to expect. Apprehensive coz I am away from my home (I never thought I'd say it but yes, NZ is home) and my support system for 5 weeks. It's the longest I have ever been away from my friends, whom I so heavily rely on to stay sane. (If I have never said how much I appreciate you...hear it now: I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU!!!). I'm nervous and apprehensive coz I feel like an outsider, a foreigner in my country of birth-will elaborate on this at a later time/day/post.

Despite this though, I will definitely make sure I enjoy this trip. It is a much needed break from work, uni & cooking in general. I guess what I hoping to gain from this trip is some perspective. Having had a rough year last year, I'm really hoping that with this break I'll come back refresh and ready for what the year has installed but also to be able to handle the bad as well as the good with greater strength and knowledge that in the larger scheme of things, ALL IS GOOD.