worth being away for...

Salaam everyone.

With a box full of ardams, a few boxes of munchies (comprised of raya biscuits) and a few tops, I left Brunei with a very happy heart. Not that I like getting away, as the thought of 24 hours of travel (17 hours of flight and 6 hours of coach travel back to Leeds - do the maths) is an agony, but because I realized that being away will mean that I get to be on my own again. I will have back my me-time.

You must get offended by that remark. But I didn't mean it to sound so insensitive. You see, the moment I entered my room yesterday, I realized how much I love my life here. I get to live by my rules, and no one else's. Not saying that it's bad... in fact, I absolutely adored my 5 weeks vacation in Brunei, because not only I got to see my family and only *cough* some *cough* of my friends, but also because I gained weight by the amount of food I consumed since I got back, but also because time flew so fast that I forgot to breathe and take a moment for myself, and just myself.

Now I realized, when I'm in Brunei, I don't belong to me. I belong to my parents and my friends. My parents, especially. Not that I don't enjoy it, but having to be apart from them most months of a year, kinda have to get myself used to the idea of living under their roof. You know what I mean, right?

Anyways, now I'm back. I have about 4 weeks to finish my thesis. But work will not start until end of the week, because I need to catch up with my food stock, stories and yada yada yada...

Thanks for those who made my vacation in Brunei worthwhile. My sincere apologies if I were unable to attend any meet-ups, hang-outs due to the constraint of my time since I spent two weeks working, a week in KL and another week with the family and I'm back here again.

What I love about being back? The faster broadband connection, of course. ;)

Now you'll always see me online on messenger. Perhaps updating the blogs and participating actively (insya Allah) in the newly formed halaqah google group.

Here're some pictures prior to my departure.

[pictures have been removed]

ps. I miss everyone now. Especially mum and leya lating! And Nyonya's Butter Chicken!! And DIMSUM! And Butter Chicken some more!!