Memory Lane: Our Malaysia Vacation

When my husband got deployed in 2008 for almost 7 months, we were blessed to be given the chance to see each other halfway through the deployment.  When he found out they were going to have a stopover in Malaysia for a couple of days, my husband immediately talked to me and asked me if I want to fly to Kuala Lumpur to see him even just for 3 days.  Of course, why would I say no?  I haven't seen him for almost four months that time, and we both missed each other, so I said yes.  I had school that week, so I had to write an excuse letter.  I left Sunday, so technically, I was only absent from my classes for two days.

Anyway, we talked about the trip through e-mails, and the next day, he bought me a round trip ticket.  He said, that was one of his birthday gifts for me.  And since I will be arriving at the hotel before him, he arranged a hotel transportation for me to get picked up from the airport.  When everything was ready, that Sunday, after attending church service, I went home to grab my stuff, and headed back out to go to the airport.  I believe, my flight didn't leave until past 7 at night.

At the airport, I started feeling anxious, excited, and nervous.  It was my first out-of-the-country trip, and I was all by myself.  I was worried that I might not be able to get into Malaysia because the immigration might not grant me VISA.  I was praying that everything will turn out just fine.  That all I wanted was to be with my husband.

Thanks be to God, everything went well.  When I arrived in Malaysia, the immigration officer only asked me one question, "How long do you intend to stay here?"  I answered, "Three days."  Then, she stamped my passport and told me I was good to go.  I let out a huge sigh of relief.  I felt bad, though, because the other lady I was with on the same flight, got held at the airport.  I asked her why before I had to tell her I needed to go because the car was waiting for me outside.  She told me, they thought they found something in her suitcase through the x-ray scanner.  But she assured me that there was nothing, so she'd be out there soon enough.  I said goodbye to her, and proceeded on my way out.  Good thing, the driver had a piece of paper with my complete name on it, that's why I was able to find him right away.  He was an Indian national, and he was very kind.  I remember his name still - Nabeel.

The drive from the airport to the hotel in Kuala Lumpur almost took 2 and a half hours.  So, by the time I got there, I was so dead tired.  I checked in, went to our room, and passed out.  The next thing I know, I was awaken by a phone call, asking for my identification, and if I was in the right room.  I kind of felt nervous because I didn't what was going on.  My husband wasn't there yet.  Then, the hotel receptionist said that they will send someone over to verify my information.  I got scared.  I wanted to cry, but I held back.  I knew in my heart I didn't do anything stupid for me to get in trouble.

When I heard the doorbell, I slowly walked my way to the door and looked to check who was outside, through the peephole.  To my surprise, nobody was there, so I slowly opened the door, leaving the safety lock, just in case.  I almost passed out when out of nowhere, my husband showed up!  It was him all along, playing prank on me.  He made the receptionist call our room just to see how I'd react.  Heavens, I almost wanted to kick his cute butt for doing such thing.   But, the minute he held me in his arms, I felt at peace.  I couldn't contain the happiness and love I felt at that very exact moment.  We held each other tightly, and he gave me kiss.

Memory Lane: Old Town San Diego

Today, while taking a break from making phone call after phone call, I decided to go through some of our old photos.  I honestly don't know what has gotten into me, I just wanted to look at them again, and reminisce.  That's when I came up with this "Memory Lane" idea.  I'm thinking of doing this every Monday on this blog.  But this week, I'll start today.  What I'll do is, I'll go through our old photos, post some here, and share a little bit of the story behind each of them.  Isn't it good to have those memories to look back on, and smile about?

I'm all about time-traveling.  And my time machine?  Photos.

taken on June 14, 2009

For my first Memory Lane photo, I chose our first photo together here in the US.  This was taken in Old Town San Diego when my husband took me there.  I was already 7 months pregnant with our oldest in this photo. He took me out to show me around San Diego because at the time, I just got here.  It was a good way for me to walk around as well, and I had a great time!  We also ate at a Mexican Restaurant there, and after that, we went to a candy store and we bought a lot of candies!  Of course, I didn't get to eat as much as I wanted to, because he didn't allow me.  For the whole time I've been pregnant with our 3 kids, he was a "sugar-nazi".  I couldn't eat sweets every time he was around.  The only times I was able to really eat whatever I want, when he was at work.  But, whenever I had cravings, he went and bought them for me.  I was into cakes and cupcakes, and anything sweet, so I baked a lot while pregnant.

Anyway, when I look at this photo, I cannot help but compare how easy it was then for us to go to places because we didn't have babies yet.  I remember, my husband would take me out for a drive every time he'd come home early from work.  He would send me a message ahead of time, so I can have enough time to get ready before he'd get home.  Those were the times when we were still able to go out on "dates".  Now, I cannot even remember how a movie theater looks like anymore!  Seriously.  It's been that long.  I miss our bonding moments, just the two of us.  And, I think it won't be anytime soon that we'll get to do those things again.

I just miss "us", that's all! =(