When home doesn't feel like home...

I have been back for a week and a half and it still hasn't really sunk in for me that I am home for good. There are probably a few reasons, for example the fact that I am currently unemployed, the fact that I just came back from a surreal footballing trip in Europe, and also, the fact that I have not been feeling too well the past 10 days after a heavy bout of the flu.

However, in the early hours of the morning as I am writing this, I am very very sure that the main reason why it doesn't feel like home, is because my wife is not with me here. Looking through our vacation photographs, I feel so happy whenever I see her with that happy grin on her face as we are having fun in some obscure part of the world. I realize that even though I should be happy at being back in Singapore, the fact that she's not here to spend this time with me makes it so much less appealing, and the things I normally do over here just aren't the same without her around.



Sharon, I am really looking forward to you coming back this week. Please come back soon and no need for any gifts as you are the greatest gift that any husband could ask for.

Love you and missing you lots,

Timmy

Argh

Seems that every time I post a pic, part of the writing will not appear. Does anyone know how I can rectify that?

Counting down

I can't wait to go home!!!

But seems that I am more excited about seeing my CGG whom I have not seen for just three weeks than anyone else. ha

Working parents tend to lament they spend too much time at work that they are missing out on their children's growing up years.

I feel that I am missing out on what's going on in my hubby's life by not being around. I mean, we talk everyday, but it just doesn't feel the same.

3 more nights to go!

The view from my new office cubicle

Now I have a view to look at when I work. Look at the number of cars parked on the surface parking garage with no one on the street. That's what you see in Houston - lotsa cars but no human in sight.

Luggage

The luggage limit for flights from the US to Singapore is 23kg x 2.

The luggage limit for flights from UK to Singapore is 20kg x 1.

So Tim left Houston with just a 20kg luggage.

And left me another one which weighs a whopping 32kg!

NO wonder I had so much trouble lifting it up onto the weighing machine.

Seriously husband, how do you think I might be able to carry these luggage by myself? Dont forget I have no more friends here to help. Faintz....

Man, my arms are hurting!And I got cuts all over my feet - I had to use my feet to help lift the luggage.

Hmm...that leaves me with just 14kg to put my stuff! That's even less than the baggage limit for domestic flights. Damn.

Homecoming - November 22 - December 1

It's been almost one and a half years since I've been back. I wonder how much it has changed or perhaps, how much I have changed since then.

I don't think I've changed much. Even my sccent has not changed a bit after three years. Yesterday, I did a two-page presentation (the rest was presented by my senior manager) in front of an international group of clients, among them was a Singaporean. After the presentation, when I told the Sporean client that I am from Singapore too, she replied, "ya, I know from your accent."

The Singapore accent. Unmistakable.

Lovesick

My CGG has been sick ever since he touched down in Singapore.

My sis-in-law says he is lovesick.

I think it is true cos he says that he will not go for Sunday soccer for the two weekends I am around. This is without me asking him not to. heh.

My Naggy Hubby

My hubby loves to nag.

He nags about me not going to the gym.
He nags about me not tidying up the mess.
He nags about me for procrastinating.
He nags about me for being late.
He nags about me for being lazy.

CGG, I miss your naggings...

Loneliness

Gone were the days when we were happy and gay.
Bored and lonely are what I am today.
Weekends are the worst with no one to talk to
Sleeping and surfing the web are all I could do.

I did, however, go to the nearby supermarket
To cook a good meal was the original target.
But I came home with barely much food
As everything somehow just doesn’t seem good

With no one to share a scrumptious meal together
What I eat really doesn’t seem to matter.
I guess I won’t be cooking for a little while

Hmm, these made me feel like I’m living in exile.

16 days...

... before I finally see my sweet wifey again. Come back soon!

Follow follow...

... coz United are going to Glasgow!

I'm currently on the train back to London (free wi-fi on the train, woohoo!) and it seems that after a hectic time in Scotland, I finally have time to sit down and blog about my time here.

"Now you know what Mel Gibson's been up to these days..."

Basically, I have very good impressions of Scotland after a good 4 nights split between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Scotland has got great scenery, nice architecture, lots of history, and excellent story tellers everywhere. I did a free walking tour in Edinburgh, a day trip to North Scotland, and also an open-top tour in Glasgow, all of which were made very interesting because of the guides and also because there is such a rich history behind everything around me.

"Bobby, the dog who stayed by his master's grave at the cemetary everyday for 14 years after his death. Truly Man's Best Friend."



"Urquhart Castle in the middle of the Loch Ness. All you need is the monster to complete the picture."


In keeping up with my active trips recently, I also set aside time to hike up a hill in Edinburgh to get up to Arthur's Seat, which had great views over the city, making the one hour trip up well worth the effort.




"I now declare this place, Tim's Seat."


Finally, down to the real reason why I am in Scotland. I managed to get tickets (very expensive ones) for the Champions' League game at Celtic Park and I got to sit with the away fans, which was an absolutely amazing experience. While being at Old Trafford was a great feeling in itself, being here amongst the hardcore, passionate, United-in-their-blood fans and singing myself hoarse during the entire game just made me so proud to be a United supporter. These guys live and die by the club and you can tell from the atmosphere, just being around them and joining in with all the songs and chants. I have a few photos and videos from the whole game, which incidentally turned out to be one of the most one-sided draws in football history, but I don't think any of it can actually replicate the actual atmosphere unless you are actually right there in the thick of things.




"Stewards waiting for United fans outside the away end. We're a tough bunch you see."



"Atmosphere as the game kicks off. Check out their scarves as they sing a stoopid song."


"Kyle, the Celtic friend I got to know from my hostel."


That said, I am already looking forward to my swansong game, this weekend's cracker against Arsenal at the Emirates. I paid a small fortune for the tickets and I am going to make sure I get as much out of it if possible (ie. look out for a Singaporean streaker during the game).

Let's hope I get out of there alive!

Missing you

My dear CGG, I wish you would be here.
Like some magic, I wish you could appear.
I looked at the door hoping you will walk in.
Just like you would the few times you were workin'.

I want to be able to tell you right away
Whenever I have something interesting to say.
I want to be able to kiss and hug you
Just like you would do the same to me too.

But I know this is never gonna be,
You have left and there is just me.
All alone in this cold, brick house,
Thinking of you, my beloved spouse.

Sarah Palin was pranked

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNhA9W9IgFc