Let’s flash back to Feb 9th, where I left Medan for Sibu. The flights were: Medan -> KL on 9am with 50 minutes journey, transit at the airport for more than 6 hours *boring*, continue with KL -> Sibu on 7pm. Most tiring day ever. Basically I left my home in Medan at 7am and arrived at another home (in-law) at 10pm.

Early morning arriving airport, I already kena conned, that’s why I hate airport especially in Indonesia. After scanned the luggage, I was looking for check-in counter while an airport staff suddenly asked me to had my luggage wrapped. I let him did it, cause I thought it’s a new procedure and free of charge. Finished wrapping with the machine, he said,”IDR10.000 please.” Damn! When I asked him what is the yellow wrapping for, he said it’s for safety. -__-”

Anyway, I checked in, waited and boarded on plane. Met high school friend on plane, we had a meet up previously but never knew that we’ll take the same flight. Also saw an ex-colleague at the immigration there, same flight as well. What a coincident eh?

After the long queue at immigration there, I got my luggage. It was 12 noon, I still have 7 hours until the next flight. I prepared two DVD, The Tourist and Furry Vengeance, to accompany me during waiting cause hubby said LCCT only allowed 2 hours Wifi usage which is true.

Before going for lunch and watch DVD, I decided to check-in first using the machine. Done, I asked the airline staff if I can check-in my luggage that early, she gave me a yes. So off I went to check-in my luggage although I was a bit worry that they might misplaced it, cause I just saw that there is a flight to Sibu on 1pm while mine is on 7pm. But heck, I didn’t feel like carrying a luggage for the next few hours.

So I went to food court, had KFC for lunch, plugged in laptop, watched two DVD until 5pm I guess, proceeded to waiting room and online using acer batteries. Flight delayed a bit, departed at 7pm something and arrived destination at 9pm something. I waited for my luggage eagerly, almost all of the passengers had their luggages already but not mine.

I asked the staff if it was all they got, and yes! Whoa, sweating and panic. Imagine after the tiring day and end up not seeing my luggage? Anyway, we went to the airline office and the staff help us to check. I was panic to the max and grumpy.

Good news, the luggage was checked-in wrongly under other passenger’s name. It flew with 1pm flight and nobody was picking it up, so they sent it back to KL! -__-” My gut feel was proven to be true. They sent it back on the next day. Well, lost and find the way back. Lucky I still have some clothes in my in-law house. See? Always have back-up!

To summarize my trip back home, from Feb 1st – 9th, it’s all about Eat Play Love or 3 F (Foods, Family, Friends).

On festive season like this, I realize that I am more towards “live to eat” kind of person although I’m not a big eater. Could be my family culture since I was a kid, we love culinary trip and enjoy foods a lot especially my brother. I just wish I can extend my stay in Medan, haven’t get to do spa, eat Fountain ice cream, mee-hoon curry from Tabona, satay padang, and so on. Oh slurrpp…

Then there is gathering with high school friends. Some are married, single, in a stable relationship, have baby, continue to take Master program while I’m just a Diploma holder – maybe I can consider online university course.

On every year, in every meet-up, be it with friends or relative, there is always questions. From do-you-have-a-boyfriend question to when-getting-married question and when-to-have-baby question. This year my two tops questions are: When do you plan to have baby? and Do you work?. Quite annoying consider have to answer those over and over again, but see the bright side it shows they are caring. Heh, or busybody -> for aunties.

As soon as we reached KL yesterday (from Bandung), we received a phone call from my MIL that hubby’s Grandpa health is getting worse and not sure if he can go through this Chinese New Year. Hubby was advised to go back his hometown incase the worst scenario happen.

Shock, yes. But I was more towards mad, why does this happen now? Just when we are about to go back my hometown tomorrow. When we are in happy Chinese New Year mood. Suddenly this news came and I might need to shorten my trip or even cancel it. Why why why? Be in my shoes and you’ll get the frustration. Like your dream being stolen away. Hyperbolic, yea, maybe because I felt so ill and I just can’t handle bad news, let me have an excuse please.

At night time, I decided to pray and leave this matter at the altar. Before that, I was hoping that his Grandpa can survive for another week until we go back there (according to our schedule). Yeah I know, it’s very selfish to do so while he is already in pain. I realize that and this time I really leave it at the altar. Whatever that may happen, it’s God’s plan and I’ll accept it. I felt lighter and sleep soundly.

This morning we were busy finalizing the packing of our luggage. We only brought 1 large luggage that I was so worry if it will exceed 15kg but too lazy to separate some into hand-luggage, cause we had 2 laptops and 1 DSLR in hand. The taxi that we ordered was about to come in less than 30 minutes time. Phone rang, MIL informed that Grandpa was in emergency room, hubby was advised to skip Medan flight and fly back home directly.

We paused for a moment. So this is finally happened. Gosh. I wasn’t sure what to react at first. Mix feeling but I gathered myself quickly. After several phone call to our parents, it’s decided that we split the flight and luggage. Taxi came on time and off we went to the airport as planned.

Last minute ticket back to his hometown was RM600, one way trip only, it’s about 3 – 4 times normal price, can spend in pool lifts already. God bless we can still afford it and that there was still empty seat available. As we sat down at a fast-food restaurant, we received the news that Grandpa passed away already. That is one serious tough morning for us, all happens so fast.

So.. ya, our plan was to celebrate CNY in my hometown followed by his. But we gotta changed plan last minute. Lucky we received the first phone call while we were still at home. God’s plan.

Rest in peace, Grandpa. Going back to my in-law house will be different without him sitting near the window there.