Have been kind of constantly feeling the need to get away from work (probably not the best thing, but I think that deserved another post on its own). Got away for a weekend in early July to finally visit MHEH’s baby Ruiyang which kind of helps, but it wasn’t long before I felt the bug again and conveniently, National Day is around the corner. On a Thursday no less, which makes one day leave on Friday an appealing prospect.

But first things first! It’s still pretty amazing to see those two starting a family. Remembering the days when they dated under an umbrella and the days when they Skyped at odd hours. Always very happy for them and it’s incredibly cute to see them carrying a baby around everywhere lolol. Went over with the CVE kakis as usual, took us many months to even get this planned because we never seem to be able to find a common weekend for some reason. Even this particular weekend we kind of forced it through or else we probably have to wait till next year (or in EH’s words, her baby would have started walking/talking by then). Opted for Airbnb this time round to try to minimize disturbances to the new parents, must say it’s quite a deal for the price we paid.

Saturday spent on a day trip to Sekinchan made possible by SoCar! The KL version of Tribecar if you will and it’s cheaper and better woohoo. Newer cars, many locations (ours was parked right in the condo we stayed in with proper lots and all), petrol policy that really suits our road trip. And a cooperative baby does help a lot too heh. And ended the day with my first and only World Cup match not watched alone and it was a seven goal thriller woots.

Headed back to KL again in August, this time a solo trip. Pretty weird destination choice for a solo trip but oh well. Coz the main reason why this trip even happened (aside from the need to get away) was a concert and I figured nobody else is even remotely close to being interested in it anyway. Weekend trip felt rushed so thought I would make it a long weekend then. But airfares are still too expensive so settled for bus instead, which isn’t a bad idea aside from the checkpoint jams which was...borderline tolerable. 

Was there for 3 nights and I actually booked myself 3 different accommodations - boutique, moderate pampering and budget hahahah. The night with concert I figured I just got somewhere close-ish and budget coz I won’t be around much anyway. Didn't go too overboard with the pampering coz there’s still this contradicting voice in my head that is questioning the point of it all. First night boutique accommodation was quite decent though.

Some notes though:

1. Jalan Alor food street is not worth going alone
2. Bukit Bintang area is suprisingly dodgy
3. Thank Buddha for Grab
4. (Malaysians working in Malaysia gonna hate me) Still feels good to be spending ringgit while earning SGD.
5. So many good cafes in KL
6. Watching a concert alone is kind of awkward at first. Doesn’t help that I am not sociable coz definitely got common topics with seat mates. But at least atmosphere is good so nobody cares.
7. Finally acted tourist in KL

Finally, just really glad that I made it to the concert. I got wind of it in May/June I think, the date didn’t look impossible though I did think it’s a bit close to my end Aug trip back home. But I put off buying tickets thinking that I may not miss much? And that the sales didn’t look too good coz I occasionally checked back the sale site and there are always available tickets in all categories so I was like, nah, no urgency. Until work stress started piling up and I felt a need to get away and finally acted on it coz it seemed like the perfect opportunity. Didn’t ask anybody else coz like I said, didn’t think anybody else would be interested (KH and Val did say later on they probably wouldn’t have minded, oh well what do I know). But it was fun to sing along with her older hits which accompanied me throughout my teens - and she did perform my favorite song of hers so there’s a my-life-is-complete-moment.

And the whole no rush trip is perfect for resting. No time pressure whatsoever - for instance, I just knew I had to get to KL on Thursday itself, so I took my time getting it JB and getting bus tickets that fit my schedule once I was there. Had lots of time to think through things and allow certain emotions to cool down - just had a nonsensical argument with my Mum the night before the trip - and had I been working the next day or something I may have taken it out on something else, a colleague, a counterpart, I don’t know. So I was kind of grateful for the trip.

Right, that’s a wrap! The next trip (home) won’t be as relaxing from the onset (because of obligations) but hopefully it turns out that way eventually!