The mission

So it turns out that I might have told a little white lie to pretty much everyone I know in Malaysia. I said to them I would be back in December. Dates vary as I myself lost track of what date I fed them. It was 12th of December at first, then 8th, then 4th. These dates are lies, because, I am already back in Malaysia people. Came back 2 nights ago on the 26th of November. I apologize to the ones I lied to but it was too tempting not to attempt a surprise.

On the 26th, my domestic flight from Palmy to Auckland was at 8.20, and to my slight horror my alarm did not go off, and I only got up at 7.25. My plan to wake up, have breakfast, take a shower, snap a few pictures of the flat went out the window. After realizing the time, I jumped up, and went straight for Iylia's room to wake him up. Brushed my teeth, washed my face, and got dressed. No shower. Said goodbye to Imran, but not to Safwan and Wen Li as they were still sleeping and I was late. Got into the car and made our way to the airport. Immediately checked in. The lady at the check in counter told me the flight was delayed. If only I knew, could have taken a shower first. So waited for an extra half hour and finally they called to board. Said goodbye to Iylia, and made my way on to the plane. This is officially the first time I have traveled alone.

Arrived at Auckland domestic terminal at 10 AM, and made my way to the International terminal. Went straight to McD to get breakfast, then went to ask the info counter where I could get a shower as I did not shower yet. The lady said that I had to to go to the florist to get the key to the shower and to rent a towel. Thats what I did, and which meant it was the first time showering at an airport. After showering, went to the departure lounge as I still had an hour till check-in time. Went around buying souvenirs and then sat down and played the PSP for an hour. Made my way down to the check-in counters and found that there were already people lining up to check-in. I saw quite a few Malaysians and even saw Abang Harmi and family queuing up a couple of rows behind me. Check-in was fine, no hiccups and that made me happy because there is one less bag to worry about and I am officially one step closer to Malaysia. Went back up to the departure hall, and got a pizza and a lift plus, which was gonna be my last lift plus in 3 months. I am gonna miss that drink. Filled in my departure card, and after 20 minutes, it was time to board the plane. Made my way through the security check fine, walked at a leisurely pace towards the gate and sat down with Abang Harmi and family for a quick chat. 15 minutes later, the gate was open, and they announced that families get to go in first. So Abang Harmi and family went first, and I waited for 10 minutes, and proceeded to the gate myself. Handed my boarding pass to the lady, and that was it, on the plane, ready to leave Auckland and back to Malaysia.

The flight was good, got a window seat which was good, and the man sitting beside me was really nice. He was a kiwi named Lindsay Baker, heading for Miri to drill oil. He was friendly and talkative, which made the flight comfortable for me. The only downside to the flight was that I could not get any sleep, as it was an afternoon flight. That made the flight feel that much longer, as you tend to check how much longer the flight would be when you are awake. Finally, after lunch, tea, and dinner, we reached KLIA. The co-pilot announced that we would be landing in 15 minutes. I thanked god for giving me a safe and smooth journey from start till finish. 15 minutes later, the plane landed. While the plane was taxiing towards the gate, the co-pilot again made an announcement "Selamat Datang to Malaysia to those who are visiting and to the Malaysians, Selamat Pulang ke tanah air". That made me feel good inside. After 9 months away, I was back.

When we got off the plane, the terminal was pretty empty, I guess it was a weekday, and it was only 8 PM, but I think it was the emptiest I have ever seen it. Made our way to the main terminal via the shuttle, and to the immigration check. Said goodbye to Lindsay as he had to go through customs, when us Malaysians just had to go through the machine where you put your passport and have a thumb print check. I love that thing.

Quickly headed for the KLIA express counter and bought a ticket as I am planning to surprise my family, so no one waiting for me outside. The lady at the counter told me the next train was at 8.45, which was 15 minutes from that time, so I was hoping to get my bag and dash for the train. Thankfully that was what happened. Just caught the train with a minute to spare. The ride on the KLIA express was relaxing, with my mind wandering off, contemplating how I would surprise my family, and thinking of the what ifs. What if my family was not at home? They think i'm coming back next week, where would I go? Looking out the window, I knew I was home, as traffic jams in progress, and constructions of new developments apparent along the way. A familiar smell hit my nose along the way, a smell only a Malaysian would recognize, and a Malaysian would appreciate as a smell of home. Half hour later, the train arrived at KL Sentral.

Went up the steps, and straight for the taxi counter. Told the girl at the counter my adress and paid. Went outside and got a taxi. The taxi driver didn't know where Sunway Damansara was at first, but as usual, the curve would be the landmark. We had a brief conversation. At first he thought I was coming back from Sabah or Sarawak, but I explained the situation to him, about New Zealand, about surprising the family. Nice guy that uncle, and I was sorry that I did not have any small change for the penchala link toll. I asked him to stop at the mamak near my house, Nasi Kandar Spring. The plan was, to go online, and chat with my sister or brother for 20 minutes, and at the end of the conversation, ask them to pick me up at the mamak. The first hurdle was getting a seat where a wall plug point was available. The reason for that was that my battery for my laptop was misplaced, or in other words lost so I have to use my adapter. Finally found one after 20 minutes after the guys in the table ahead unplugged theirs. During that 20 minute wait, I got myself a Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng and a teh o ais, which I can safely say tastes the same after 9 months, which is always a good thing. Anyways, got the plug point, connected to the wireless network, but to my frustration I could not go into any website. This went on for another 20 minutes. Finally, I got into meebo, and noticing it was already late to play around, I immediately messaged my brother

me : bro, buat per?
abang: nothing much ah bro, just got back from picking up workers..whats up? (coz I almost never tegur him on YM)
me: oooo...takder, pick me up from spring...
abang: huh??? biar benar bro..
me: yeap..serious, i'm back..haha
abang: ya allah...ok2 I come now..
me: ok..I wait kat tepi spring

4 minutes later he came in his new car. Put my bags in the back seat, and went in the car. Abang was laughing, still in disbelief that i'm home, also commenting on my hair. Asked if Mak was still up, and he said maybe not. I hope I don't give Mak a heart attack or something when I wake her up. Reached home, and put my bags upstairs in my room, which looked the same. Went back downstairs to my moms room, and as my brother knocked, waited for her to open the door. As she opened the door, a definite shock came to her face, and I immediately embraced her, expecting tears, but thankfully did not come. But the expected "anak bertuah" comment definitely came out. Only my sister left, but I would leave that to the next day as she was not at home and I was sleepy.

Surprised my sister the next morning when I was the one waking her up from breakfast, went to see Mama and Opah, Mama also directing an "anak bertuah" comment towards me. Opah did not recognize me, which worried the rest, but did not worry me, because I do look different, and add to that being away for 9 months, and with her condition, its only understandable. Its all good. Went for lunch with Mak Yang and surprised my brothers that night.

I actually tried to surprise Hafiz that evening, me driving to his house, and calling him from outside his house, but he didn't pick up as it was a new number I just bought. So I tried again that night, this time getting a response, and I definitely surprised him. So that night, got to surprise most of my friends, and all wanting to beat me up for pulling this stunt. It was good to be back home.

Mission was definitely a success, and again I apologize to anyone that I lied to on many occasions regarding my arrival in Malaysia. It was really too tempting not to attempt.

So to anyone reading, I am back in Malaysia poeple!!..... for real

and on a side note, my Indoor Soccer World Cup Video is up on youtube.. the link is here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-Bfqjdzj4I