Goodbye Houston

It's finally time for me to go home! Wow, time flies.. 2 weeks feels like nothing.. I am all over excited to see hubby and my 2 kids again.. missed them so much. However, I'm still heavy-hearted to leave Houston when I'm having a great time- feels like I'm on vacation. Wished that my family can come here instead! Here's why.. in no particular order..

1) Everything paid- as like other business trip, everything is paid by the company. So, you can stay in a great hotel, eat out without hesitation, order room service as much as you want, rent a car as long as you need it, etc etc. Now back in Malaysia I have to spend on my own again (not that I dont shop a lot here!).

2) Driving in Houston/US- for all of you who have studied or worked here know how easy it is to drive here. It is lot easier than in Malaysia, trust me! People here are very civilized and courteous, plus the roads are wide and many lanes with a better system than in Malaysia. Now I got to face the Malaysian drivers again, and not to mention the mat rempits too!

3) Everything air-conditioned- Loving the 24 hrs air-condition in the room. Back home, the air-con in our room does not functioned well, so we always sleep sweating. Oh, if only we got money to buy a bigger air-con and turn it on every time we want!

4) Lots of ME time- not that I dont enjoy the company of my family (I wont trade that for anything!!), but it's good to enjoy some ME time. I got to read lots of story books (some people know what I'm reading.. heheh), and surf the internet like nobody business.. haha.. and of course, go out anytime I want. Back at home, the kids are always around, seeking my attention. So, the only free time is at night, and by that time I'm tired too!

5) Oh, one of the best reason.. don't have to work! Don't even have to think about work. Over here, you just attend classes and make sure you're useful to be company later. Oh, I am groaning on what's waiting for me back at the office!

6) Living in a hotel- We're staying at Doubletree Suites, and the room is just perfect. We are settling in a one bedroom suite with 2 queen beds. Enjoyed the services; room service, laundry service.. housekeeping (not like I dont have a maid back home.. hehe)

But I missed home, too. Missed my family, my friends, the comfort of my home, the home-cooked food! My flight is departing this evening. See you back in Malaysia soon enough! (Is 30 hours soon enough?)

Houston trip - part 3

Today, my mother and I remembered to bring our camera along. We just went to Hobby Lobby, and had dinner at Outback Steakhouse. Read my Scrapperocks! blog for more info on what I did in Hobby Lobby...hehe. Anyway, here are some pictures of me and my mom, especially for my hubby and the kids.. :)

My bed.. one of the bed in our room.. my mom has exactly the same one besides mine.

Outside Outback Steakhouse.. steak is no fun without hubby, who is a big steak fan..

Our rental car.. Dodge Avenger.. not bad lah

Houston trip - part 2

Class ended early today, but have to wait for a colleague who car-pool with me to go back to our hotel. So I have half an hour to kill, what else to do than writing on your blog? haha.. The class was OK, enjoyed the exercise and learned something new too (that's supposed to be my main purpose here). It's the middle of first week already, and am enjoying myself here (but it'll be better if my family is here). I'm still getting used of driving the car on the other side of the road, and also driving a big car (anything here is big compared to my myvi back home!). I am driving a Dodge Avenger (not that big but still intimidating). I am really bad at parking after driving myvi, which have the smaller turning radius.. hehe

Planning to check out a couple of scrapbook stores today. This is the chance to use the GPS tool I rented. Hopefully, we won't get lost! Very excited about it, but afraid that I will be tempted with all the beautiful and hopefully cheap SB stuff!!!

OK.. gtg.. will continue later!

Shopping ideas?

As a man, i'm not that educated on shopping. I might know a little bit about brands and prices but to find bargains and good buys are just not my good trade.

The wife wants to buy me stuff from houston (outlets and malls), asked about my shopping list. The only thing i can think off is timberland stuff (because ridiculously overpriced here - x2 more) and electronics (iphone/palm pre - but macam susah je electronics).

So here i am asking for advice. Any suggestions?? Ladies ?? This blog entry is so stereotype. No offence intended.

Here are some funny quotes for your amusement:

If men liked shopping, they'd call it research. -- Cynthia Nelms

Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping. -- Bo Derek

The quickest way to know a woman is to go shopping with her. -- Marcelene Cox

A bargain ain't a bargain unless it's something you need. ~Sidney Carroll (my favorite)

Houston trip - part 1

I am all the way opposite the globe from my home, and I am missing my family really much. This is my third time to Houston, and it was not as exciting as before, especially without my kids n hubby around. Zara was supposed to be here with me, but she didnt come due to the risk of swine flu infection. At least she will entertain us. Oh well, as long as I am here, I might as well enjoy myself, right?

Today is my first day of class.. after sleepless night yesterday, I was so sleepy in class today. Plus, I knew most of the stuff they taught today.. speaking of too experienced for the class, they should have sent me 2 years ago! But anyway, I tried to entertain myself enough to survive the day. Later, we had sushi for dinner! What a treat! It was not like Sushi King, more like Sushi Groove kind of style. Love it! (may want to go again someday.. hehe)

There is so much to do here.. places to visit.. but I guess it's our lucky stars as Victoria's Secret Semi-anual sale starts tomorrow! ... for the whole 2 weeks we are here too! FYI- my mother and I are VS big fan, especially my mother la.. hehehe.. I also need to check out the countless scrapbook stores scattered around Houston. Not to forget, the factory outlet store!!! Plan to spend 1 and 1/2 day there! It is a near outlet, never been there before and was told it was bigger and better than Katy Mills. Do you noticed that my plans revolved around shopping? haha.. (plus nobody will be nagging when I am shopping.. hehe) Where else to go, and what else to do in Houston?

OK.. very sleepy now.. could not get enough sleep last night.. time for catch-up.. will update more later, hopefully with pictures..

p/s: ain, zareef n zara.. i miss you guys so much!!!