back home experience and some images

After spending four years in Montreal and another four in Davis, I am finally back home. For good, it seems. That's the plan, but I can't say for sure until I get a job. So far I have nothing settled yet, though I have sent my emails out to the right people (I hope). In any case, I don't expect to be working before Jan 2011.

Gulp.

Let's hope my brave decision of giving up my 2-year postdoctoral position in Davis doesn't turn out to be a foolhardy one.

So far, I have experienced some pretty good service from the Malaysian sales sector. I must say that I was surprised by their professional and good attitude. Some of them looked like they were still in college and just finished high school, while the rest looked like my age.

Parking still remain a double, even triple affair in my area. Quite skilled, and no consideration for others.

Chatted with my opposite neighbour for the first time in 15 years. Felt good.

Learning Tamil from a private tutor would cost me a bomb. So it's just audio CD and Astro Tamil channels for now.

It has been cloudy with breaks of sunlight. Rains are intermittent. Temperatures float around 30C. Evaporating vapour from the hot tar roads drive everyone nuts. Sweat can't dry off our skins, so everyone stays sticky. So far I haven't smelled anyone smelly, but I haven't taken RapidKL bus yet.

Every trip I took to Uptown costed me RM20. Money washes away like the rain here.

The Inspira sedan (similar to Mitsubishi Lancer) costs RM79,000. Compared to my meager savings from the US, I should look at a Kelisa. Of course, I don't plan to buy a car anytime soon, at all.

I finally saw my niece. I can't describe my joy at seeing her, but it seems that lately I am an expert at masking my emotions. I am also hesitant to carry her, since I am afraid of hurting her with my clumsiness. The rest of the family however, are absolutely revolving around this new member. Adults fight over carrying her. Hahaha. Everyone has an opinion about how to best take care of the baby, and everyone is adamant that he/she is correct.

And now, some images:

 Our beloved dog of 10 years, Bowie. He reacts only to food and if you play with him. I have been away for years and he treated me as if I never left. No extra excitement at all. Time to cast him out. HAHAHAHHA.

 My garden and the common bumblebee.

 Flowers in my garden.

 Butterfly and flowers in my garden.

More flowers. I really like this flower actually.

First breakfast since my return. From left going clockwise: Durian puff, roti canai, tea, fish curry sauce. The Durian puff is heavenly. I can't praise it enough. You can buy it from O! Papa bakery chain in Malaysia.

Nasi lemak biasa, with peanuts and cucumber. The reddish sauce is called 'sambal', a sweet, spicy sauce that matches nasi lemak like Beckham matches Victoria. Sexy. This dish is one of my all-time favourite, and if I were to get obese over a dish, it would be this. Durian is my obese fruit of choice. 

 Oh my. Vitagen. Childhood. USA has Milo, Maggi and what not, but no Vitagen, right?

 My grandma with her great-granddaughter.

 From left: My dad, my brother-in-law, my mom. Center of attention: my niece on the sofa.

 My dad playing with his granddaughter.