Chinese New Year

I'm at home again. A quick-ish break - 5 days. There is something about home that is so familiar - my room, my bathroom, my wardrobe (and all the clothes I left behind coz the wardrobe in KL is much smaller). It's just such a familiar feeling, and the familiar is (for the most part) comforting.

If you had told me even 8 months ago that I would feel this way about 'home', I'd have laughed in your face. I have never felt a strong attachment to it. Strange what a change a few months' (forced) stay can make. The only thing missing at the moment is my sister, who has been here the last 3 times that I have been home in the last 7 months.

I still miss Melbourne, there is no doubt about that. I miss the lifestyle, the people, friends, and my boy. And having to leave is probably the hardest thing that I've ever had to do. I'm just quite surprised at the feelings that I've developed for 'home' in the last half a year, compared to how I felt for the first 18 years of my life.

I'm here for that great big celebration to commemorate the Lunar New Year (otherwise known as the Chinese New Year) which is less than 24 hours away. I'm excited, but slightly apprehensive as well. This will be the first time I've been around to celebrate this event in 4 years. I've always chosen to go back to Melbourne over the summer and skip the craziness that can come with such a big celebration. (And crazy it can be: you should've seen the traffic in KL this past weekend! People doing last-minute grocery and clothes shopping. And I had to choose that weekend to catch up on my social life. Driving anywhere required the most careful timing arrangements.) It will also be my first Chinese New Year since starting work. I'm rehearsing my replies to the 'so what are you doing now' and 'where are you working' type of questions. Perhaps I should just hang a sign around my neck with my answer... LOL. Hm...maybe I shoulda brought more of my brand spanking new business cards back!