Balik kampung (going home)

Quick stats for last week:

• 4 movies watched (Avengers was so enjoyable but I miss my Oakland crowds)
• 1 book read (I was travelling!)
• amazingly only got a bite per day while in Malaysia (that’s an all time low record for me)
• 12 Anzac cookies consumed (I celebrate Anzac day in my own way)

After 7 long years, I finally went back to Malaysia! It was kind of surreal being there after living there for high school. I think it’s progressed nicely! Still lots of malls but you need somewhere to hang out when it’s over 90F outside and at least 70% humidity everyday too. They do have Ladies parking areas, closer to the doors & lifts and super well lit–for single women shopping. It’s a good feature, but a bad sign that it exists? Does that make sense?

For not having any planned schedule at all, I did pretty well! Saw three aunts & uncles, one set of grandparents, a nibling and a high school friend. I ate all the things too! Got to hit some of my favorites, but I’ll have to come back to get the rest next time. Kuey teow (flat rice noodles) and rice (nasi lemak literally means “fat rice”).

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I love me some foreign McDs (had to try their spicy fried chicken along with my favorite–chicken congee). They had a banana pie and also a chicken curry pie! Sure, why not.

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They’ve got some fancy cafes now too so got to drink well and share yummy fusion cakes (cempedak/jackfruit salted caramel!).

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Saw this amazing thing, where this guy was able to cut out the core of a coconut, without puncturing it! Man, I should’ve taken a video since it was just so smooth and I’m sure it’s crazy difficult to do well. You just get this awesome completely edible ball of coconut meat, filled with juice! I popped it into the fridge to have it chilled later and man, it was great. The only problem, especially coming from super eco-Melbourne, was how much plastic was still in Malaysia! It’s EVERYWHERE. I guess I feel that when I visit San Jose from Berkeley, but it was … a lot. It’s a slow movement but hopefully they’ll be able to cut that down slowly?

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It was actually a little bit cooler that week as it was raining a bit everyday. That cooled things off a bit since it wasn’t ever prolonged rain, but short bursts of rain here and there. It did nicely clear out the air often so that was a plus.

Traffic seemed a lot lighter too but I think it’s mainly that I didn’t head downtown very much at all and we took mostly toll roads. Everyone seems to use them but they can add up! The route my aunt takes is 10RM (~US $2.50) everyday. Okay so it’s not as much as the Bay Bridge but it’s still something.

I know my aunt gives me crap for craving the Air Asia meals, but it’s seriously pretty great food! In the States I was just so Malaysian food deprived, that I’d happily take any of these menu items on a domestic flight. Just look at those!!

It was a quick trip that was packed it, and we even go to get drinks and see a stellar view of the Petronas Towers. Lovely way to end my trip!

Back home, I’m getting more cozy and finally printed some pictures for the apartment (thanks Kim W for the assist!). I framed the caricatures from my goodbye card too and get to see those everyday! Making me smile more and miss everyone when I see their faces.

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Got some family time in and it’s great that Joey’s learned how to smile! He’s beaming back at us now! Love it so much. Tilly’s learning how to floss from her Dad too! Ha. I fly up north to Brisbane and Gold Coast later this week so I’ll get to visit my newest nibling (my cousin up there just had his 4th little kiddo). I hear Queensland is where all the truly dangerous animals are so… wish me luck. I’ll check my shoes for snakes & spiders, for sure.

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I’ll leave you with my all-time favorite item I saw on sale in Malaysia: