And so, I have returned home.

After a very close shave with missing the flight at 9 am (woke up at 7 am) I was safely on board and was finally deeply engrossed reading the local newspapers ! They were quite interesting, and might I say, unchanged from where I left off. It is these kind of things that make you feel that time seems to have stopped somehow.

Got behind the steering wheel for the first time in about 8 months and it was grand, although weird, driving along the highway, surrounded by sky and trees instead of hulking buildings and neon signs. I missed the signs though. Had a nap in tha afternoon until evening as was waiting for the HK IGs to turn up. Their flight ended up delayed and when they arrived we went out to SS15 AsiaCafe for supper only to find that every single available seat was taken up by those football crazy Malaysians watching the Liverpool-Man U match. Luckily we were late, so there was only about 10 minutes before suddenly the place was empty again. After food, everyone was so exhausted that we fell into bed pretty fast.

Checking into the hotel was fun, as met many many other IGs from other countries, including those that have completely slipped your mind, and it was great to catch up as well. After cocktails, most people could be found walking around in Pavilion. Myself, took some time to play Monopoly HK Version, and we were there till about 2 am. Training finished up the rest of Monday, and it was not very interesting, however it was nice to meet up with the team as well as the whole room. Brought some cookies back to KL office to meet and greet. Heavy rain stopped me from returning and ended up at Red Box with SailorJow singing till 11 pm. Just the two of us sang for about 4 hours. Did not even give the buffett a second glance. Returned to the hotel room to luxurise in the bath and then spent the next hour watching ANTM.

Tuesday flew by in a blur of sleepines, lunch with the IGs at Wongkok and ended at about 2 am in the Main ballroom with most of the presentation for Project RABA done. Snuck out for a snack at Jalan Alor with about 7 others, which was a bit regretted later due to very dark eye circles on Wednesday Morning. Got a hair cut at Sungeiwang where was mistaken for a HK Student and also looked at some clothes at Pavilion. Took a nap, and prepared for the presentations in the afternoon. The evening gala dinner was done quite well, with a James Bond theme, hence all the black tie hoohaa. There was even a baccarat table where you could gamble beer and wine coupons. Myself and GAHil ended up bankrupting the casino ! Later was also chosen as Top 6 Dashing Males for the night. LOL.

Thursday saw me sleeping in and then driving to Bukit Jalil where I met some of my back office people and learnt from them how their tasks were done. Even made a couple of calls and saves between HK and Malaysia. Talk about hardworking ! Friday was an errands day, and managed to renew road tax and driving license though the queue took FOREVER ! Somehow my allergies resurfaced during the weekend as well, but kept in check while I met up with JeanBear and StephBear and WengBear. We were off to KLPAC to watch a Japanese dance troup The Condors which were a mixture between dance and theatresports. Fun. Completed the night with a visit to JinBear's place for mahjong and then for some Indomee later.

Did Cheng Beng duties early Saturday followed by dim sum lunch at DJ. Went home for a rest before spending the rest of the afternoon at the MPH Warehouse Sale where spent close to HKD1000 on books. Worth it though. Bumped into SailorJow there too. Sweated like a pig in the hot sun though. Dinner was at Pantai Seafood with JinBear, RaeBear, SharBear, PLBear, KeiBear and TEBear. Way too much food though it was finished. Went along for some beer till about midnight.

Met up with SailorJoyo back from Singapore with SailorKuang at Prince Cafe at about 1 where we talked and talked and talked. Went baby toy shopping before that as well for a gift. Then adjourned to 2 3 Square to meet SailorEL, with hubbie and baby in tow. They were then replaced by LawleyBear and TrBear. Seemed like an overdose of Finance people ! But fun to just sit and talk. Later went out for dinner near Penchala with family at a new rustic place, very similiar to Tamarind Springs but much closer. Had French Onion Soup, Fried Calamari Rings, Lamb Shank and Honeydew Juice. Yum. Fell dead asleep at 11.

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