Transit Thoughts

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard”
Wise words from the man himself, Winnie the Pooh (aka. A.A. Milne)

*Thoughts during my transit home to Melbourne for Christmas*

………………………………………………………………………………..
6am Hanoi time

The taxi is here early to pick me up to go to Kuala Lumpur today. As if I wasn’t nervous and rushed enough as it is.

………………………………………………………………………………..
3pm Kuala Lumpur time

Traveling makes me super emotional. I can’t land in a new city without breaking out the tears, it’s ridiculous. Today I am in transit from Hanoi to Melbourne to see my family for Christmas (almost tearing up just thinking about seeing them again after the longest time). And as excited as I am to go home and see my family, friends and home, I still get so so sad to leave Hanoi. But alas, it is leaving time. (for three weeks).

………………………………………………………………………………….
5pm Kuala Lumpur time

I have just endured hell on earth in this stupid airport.
I HATE airports. They are busy and mostly just consist of many many long lines and people rushing around sad and/or excited. But the Kuala Lumpur airport KLIA2 is the epitome of bad airports. I have a 9 and a half hour layover before my next flight to Melbourne today and I think it’s gonna be some of the worst 9 1/2 hours of my life. This airport is shocking. So hard to navigate with too many levels and bad direction signs – although, after today I could chuck on a uniform and start telling people directions as I think I know this stupid place like the back of my hand after all this walking around trying to find ATM’s, gates, luggage, food, and a comfortable place to sit and charge my laptop and phone (at least I’m not under any time restraints HA HA)

Anyway – enough complaining about the airport for now. I have finally found a place I can sit down and enjoy a coffee and charge my laptop! We can get back to the complaining later. (I mean, I do have NINE HOURS TO MYSELF HERE)

…………………………………………………………………………………..
5:30pm Kuala Lumpur time – post coffee thoughts

With feelings about returning home for a few weeks whirling through my body I have got to thinking about my last 6 months in Hanoi. 6 months ago, leaving for this country, I had no idea what was in store for me. And by golly was I in for a ride. In fact, I was 98% sure when I left Melbourne on that cold winter morning that I would get to Hanoi, fall on my ass, fail at everything and be home within a month. I am now building a career in the field that has been my dream since I was a child, building a relationship with someone who I truly believe is my soulmate, and I’m the happiest I've been in my life. I can’t believe one single thing that has happened to me in my last 6 months in Hanoi, countless people have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome and help me finding my way around the culture, language, and life, and I am thankful for every single person I have come across who has given me something to take away. I have met some truly amazing people, and people who, even though I haven’t seen them in months now, still inspire me to do my best every day.

So even though I am super excited to see my family for Christmas, I’m still really sad to leave Hanoi even if only for a few weeks. I truly feel like I have left half of me behind.

BUT as I carry around a suitcase full of presents, just 12 hours before I get to see my family and tease them that they wont be able to open any until Christmas morning, I am so happy to be returning home with all this knowledge and experience that I can now share with my family and friends. (If I make it through this stupid airport)

………………………………………………………………………………………..
7pm Kuala Lumpur time

I have been sitting in this same spot for hours, counting down the minutes until I could drop off my checked luggage and get to the next part of the airport. And when I realized it was finally time, I walked through the airport to the international departures part, and looked up at the screen to notice I was still one hour away from being able to go through the gate. This is exhausting.

………………………………………………………………….……………………
9:30 Kuala Lumpur time

And finally – my 9 and a half hours has come down to it’s last hour. And I finally have strong enough wifi to post this blog. I am exhausted, I am tired, and I can’t wait to get on that plane and sleep sleep sleep. See you in a few hours Australia!!!!!!!