Almost there...destination within reach!

          Selfie before take off in KL!

And here we are, in pristine Abu Dhabi (based on glimpses from my seat window). We won't actually be able to explore Abu Dhabi for another few days, so it's only impressions from the window and our airport layover for the moment. 

The flight itself was pretty good. In spite of the older plane - rattling, loose tables and no USB plugs to charge our devices (ermahgerd!), the plane was only half full, which meant that the moment doors were shut, we could all grab 4-seater rows to ourselves (makeshift lie flat!). 

But the lack of sleep caught up, and before the plane took off, I had already dozed off. 

Hours later, and feeling refreshed, we were served our 4-course breakfast. 

Nasi goreng with satay chicken! Yum!

The airport was a bustling space, being a stopover for a multitude of destinations. 

We browsed the gift shops and were amused by the sheer number of camel souvenirs :) 

Another interesting point was the "smoking boxes" and lounges available. Just little square boxes that were filled with people puffing away!

One last selfie with my little sis, and we're ready for our final leg in this journey! Istanbul, here we come!

And waiting to board....

Killing 12 hours in transit..

What does one do with 12 hours in transit? 

We arrive in a very hazy KLIA2 - the new low cost carrier airport just opened barely a month, just after 3.30pm local time. 

We made it out of the plane in record time, mainly because we were in the 2nd row. The airport still had fresh paint smells lingering in its hallways, and we made our way through, no crowds, no noise. 

It took us a very short time to get through immigration, and our bag was one of the first through on the carousel - yet we lingered, for almost an hour on some pristine benches next to the carousels owing to the fact we had excellent free wifi reception and was loath to move. 

When I suddenly realised that we had not eaten for 6 hours (omg, seriously how did  I manage that length of time?), we decided to finally pass through customs in search of substanance. 

The amount of options available was plentiful, and we decided to "scope" our choices. Fast food? Local delicacies? Snacks on the go?

We walked 3 levels compiling our list - and ended up exactly where we started! 

Local favorite Old Town - eating Nasi Lemak and kaya toast :)

 Another hour and aimless walking brought us to the Thai Odyssey. The huge sign beckoned me with the tantalizing 25% discount on all massages! After a little cajoling, and discussion of prices and the value of R+R, Jeff and I were settled in a couple's room to enjoy - for me, a foot and body massage and for him, just a foot massage. 

I must say, it was extremely good to have my aching feet pampered and those tensed knots in my shoulders and neck kneaded. I only wish that I had plonked down for 2 hours instead of one!

By now, it was almost 9.30 - time for another meal! This time we decided on fast food. Texas Chicken sounded interesting...but oh so sinful!

We sat in the comfy seats and then our partners in crime joined us!

Yippee! Time flew much faster from then and next thing I knew - 11 hours has passed and we are checked in and waiting at the boarding gates! 

Off to the next stopover! Just one more before our final destination! 

Running on fumes..

It's been an exciting few months silently leading up to our planned "excursion". 

The day has finally arrived! After a flight cancellation, lost hotel reservations, butt loads of emails with miscommunications due to foreign language translations and a night of barely 2 hours of sleep...here we are! Waiting for take off :)

A little pre-flight shopping for items to pick up on the way home...

Then walked about and decided on some last minute fast food before the start of our Middle Eastern food journey begins..and while waiting fit our hungry jacks muffins, our names were called! Option town upgrade was a success and so here now we sit waiting for take off in our lie flat seats! See you on the other side!

 

Something all dance mums should have!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Blueberries

I recently started eating oats in the morning. Mainly because it is the start of the new year, and we all resolve to be healthier and good during January, and partly because I'm coming to terms that I'm getting older and need to start looking after myself.

I happened to mention to my Mommy whilst at the shops that I'm looking for a healthy topping to put on top of my oats - I'm eating the plain rolled oats as opposed to ones with added sugary stuff, and she suggested "blueberries"!

My instant response was, "Ugh blueberries, yuck!".

Mommy said, "Blueberries are yummy!"

I replied, "I don't like them. They're err sourish..."

Mommy then dragged me to the fruits section and said, "Try one!", and grabbed one, insisting I try one.
At this point, an image of me, trying to entice Kaitlyn to try some mango a few days ago, flashed in my mind.

I had tried to introduce food to her that Kaitlyn does not like, mushroom and mango among them. And I had lectured her that we should always try a little of the food available on the table (during meals). No harm in taking a bite, she might discover that her taste buds have changed and she would like something different. Always take a little to try, and if you don't like it, swallow it politely (without making gagging noises) and leave it for another day!

Mindful of my own advice, I accepted the little blueberry from my mother, and tasted it. To my surprise, I liked it. Instant conversion!

Why have I been shunning this little fruit! Oh, all the blueberry muffins I have declined. No more!

(And yes, I made Kaitlyn try one when I put it in my oats this morning. Her reaction? "Bleh. Too sweet!")


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Things I learned watching the 2012 MTV Movie Awards....

So several things hit me, while I was watching the 2012 MTV Movie Awards (belatedly as I was away on holidays).

1. I will not need to buy new pants for my eldest (he keeps stretching and growing and has overshot me in height now) - it seems that it is cool to wear pants that look too short by about 6 inches...

2. The younger generation of cool actors always duck their heads when they "discover" they are on camera (ie Kristen Stewart, Channing Tatum), whilst the "mature" actors stay cool and smile serenely ( ie Jennifer Aniston)

3. All Russell Brand needs to do to distract us from his weird ramblings is to shout "Twilight"!! and "Hunger Games"!!

4. Reaffirming my view that Johnny Depp is truly a legendary artist :)

5. There are too many new movies coming out soon and some that is out that I have missed, that I will absolutely need to watch...eventually

Oh - and yes the world is going to end in Dec 2012 according to the Mayans....as Russell kept pointing out...

Because you loved me...

To my dearest,

It's been an interesting journey these past 15 years. We have definitely been through plenty of ups and downs on this roller coaster ride we've chosen to take together :)

I've always felt this song encompasses all that I've felt for you, and it's fitting that it was the theme from the 2nd movie we watched together, (I have a special place for the first, Down Periscope - but that didn't seem appropriately romantic unless you intend to get a tattoo).

So a dedication to you, on this day of our 13th Wedding Anniversary (gosh the years have flown), and a wish for many more years to come.


For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful baby
You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through, through it all

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love, I had it all
I'm grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don't know that much
But I know that much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark, shining your love into my life
You've been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

I'm everything I am
Because you loved me.