2011 has been somewhat of a bitch. Not exactly a mean-girl but rather like a pms-ing mom. After a 9 - 5 job. Cooking dinner. For a family of 10... Thankfully there were a few good times scattered in-between bitch fits but basically the last year to me has been a whirl of work shite, family events (sis got married – don’t even get me started on the pre/post event DeRahMaH!) and secret squirrel stuff (thank goodness for eville bff sidekicks – yes that’s plural on purpose).
Besides a flurry of work drama and panic attacks, nothing profoundly significant happened to me in 2011 – which is why that proli’ the best bits of the year was the travelling I did. Ever since 2007(!) I’ve been meaning to blog on the places I’ve travelled to – mainly to capture my thoughts /impression of a place before it’s forgotten. UNFORTUNATELY. Every time I get back from a nice holiday I’m thrown head first into hurricanes of company events, shiteloads of editing and mountains of reports. *hisssssss*Never mind travel writing – I haven’t even done any photo filing *sigh* I’ve over 20G of digital photos I keep meaning to print; from my visits to Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Italy and UK. Not to mention my Malaysia pics – of my village/longhouse and other places around Sarawak, to Labuan, Sabah, Kuala Lumpur and most recently – Pahang. *sad face*
The clock is ticking so instead of a customary New Year’s post or individual travel blogs, this is going to have to count as a 2011 summary cum Travel mishmash jumble.
I’ve already covered what a bitch 2011’s been (can’t say too much about work – wouldn’t want to bore you). And I can’t very well cover all the places I’d like to blog about without unearthing at least half of that 20Gs worth of photos (CAN! WORMS! all over the place!!) and/or applying for 2 weeks of work leave... So what do all of these places have in common that I can talk about (so I have at least one semblance of a travel post)..? *insert sneaky smile here*
...I am what you’d call a “lucky” traveller. Maybe it’s the somewhat stupid, awestruck look of moronic wonderment pasted on my face (can’t help it..LIGHTS!! everywhere!) but airport, immigration, hotel, taxi and restaurant staff all around the world (to date) really do seem to love me. To illustrate, in the last trip I made, the airline counter guy actually called me to the front of the line (much to the exasperation of some 15 others waiting in line heh). And in London, my travel buddy was caught in a stern 15-minute interview with immigration while I got waved in with a “Have a lovely holiday and see you soon!”. Suck that. Hahah. But I’m getting sidetracked... what I meant to talk about was this... *drumroll* the aeroplane ride leading to the destination *cymbal clash*
I ADORE aeroplane rides. Once you’ve survived the hassle of lugging your luggage around the airport, getting through security checks, all the waiting in line blablabla... there’s nothing quite so wonderful as strapping yourself down into that narrow chair (of course I always try to book myself a window seat), swirling the air-conditioner so it hits your forehead and then... aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhBesides falling into a short deep sleep 10 minutes after take-off (proli’ due to lack of oxygen), I love the very thought of being suspended in air. No matter how many times I’ve flown I can’t help but to wonder at the miracle of flight. Looking down and seeing tiny lego-like houses, matchstick trees, island dots and thread-like rivers – to me - is pure magic. There is something breathtakingly thrilling about being able to float and glide across the sky. In a bigass heavy machine no less! How wonderful is Man, and how great is God to have granted us with such intelligence? When I’m there between Heaven and Earth, I’m in a better place. In that in-between place, I have no history and feel no mystery. I feel weightless, I am hopeful, I am pumped with adrenaline of anticipation. I am magic. I am free.
And I’ve not given up on seeing an Angel floating on a pink cloud yet. Blessed New Year 2012.
