Fall 2024 & Winter 2024/2025

Just wrapped up my 15th busy season at work and had been busy catching up on my blog backlogs. It's been awhile since my last update bi-annual update in August 2024. Lots been going on over the past 7 months...traveled to Kenya, spent 3 weeks in India for work, took a detour to Malaysia, helped hubby with FIL's sickness and funeral, was busy with work for the first 2 months of the year, and busy planning and booking trips for the rest of the year. It's finally time for a photo dump of what we've been up to from Sep 2024 - March 2025.

8 Nov 2024 (Fri): Both our cars are 17 yo and 11 yo, and we have been thinking about getting a new vehicle that is simple, long lasting, low maintenance, low cost of ownership, comfortable (for road trips), and reliable (i.e. Japanese brand). And the two contenders were Honda CRV and Toyota RAV4.

Went to the local dealerships to test drive both vehicles. The prices (all-in) for the 2025 basic models were Honda CRV (AWD) - $36,726 (RM164,092) and Toyota RV4 (FWD): $31,178 (RM139,303). We initially planned to just test drive on that day, and make a decision later since it was a large purchase. Surprisingly, it was an easy decision so we went ahead and paid the deposit on that day itself.

22 Nov 2024 (Sat): We decided to trade-in hubby's Hyundai Genesis Coupe for $5K...thanks for your service for 11.5 years. 

22 Nov 2024 (Sat): Tadaa...we decided to go with the Toyota RAV4. Apart from the fact that Toyota was much cheaper with a much better warranty, the fact that they allowed us to put $5K on the credit card (vs. $1k for Honda) made it a clear winner.  Even though I had enough saved up to pay the full amount, we opted to finance the remaining balance of $21,178 (after deposit and trade-in value) at 3.99% over 3 years.

Fun fact: I had been lucky to get hand-me-down cars from the family since I started driving so I was excited to have my first new car! Well, I actually don't even drive much these days since I get to work from home all the time and I enjoy staying at home. We love this vehicle btw. :)

8 Sept 2024 & 16 Nov 2024 (Sat): Play date with the nephew

22 Nov 2024 (Sat): Nov 22 marked 10 years since I moved to the US. Felt like it wasn't that long ago when we took this photo at Penang airport. How much have changed, how much remained the same, and yes Hilton bear is still with me. =) Had our simple celebration with Vietnamese lunch date.

23 Nov 2024 (Sun): Thanksgiving gathering with the Southeast Asian group in Huntsville.

Unfortunately, we found out that FIL passed on 24 Nov 2024, which was followed by a busy month for hubby taking care of all things while dealing with whirlwind of emotions. Sadly, 2024 turned out to be the Year of Loss for us, as we both lost our dads this year. =(

3 & 10 Dec 2024 (Tues): When it rains, it pours. Our fairly new fridge (bought in July 2024) broke, and we didn't realize the fridge wasn't cooling until a day later (as we were busy with the funeral), so we had to chuck some food. Thankfully, we were still within the 1-year manufacturer warranty window so they sent someone to fix it. We had to survive being 'fridge-less' for 2 weeks. =.=

9 Dec 2024 (Mon): One of the many to-do's after FIL's passing was trading in FIL's truck. Thankfully, it was a fairly simple and quick process.

24 Dec 2024 (Tues): Christmas celebration with the family.

31 Dec 2024 (Tues): Celebrated NYE and a special milestone with MIL. =)

10 Jan 2025 (Fri): One of the rare snow days in Alabama...which we chose to stay comfortably indoor.

31 Jan 2025 (Fri): Even though I missed CNY again for the 11th year (thanks busy season), it makes me happy seeing all the photos and videos from the family. The older I get, the more I appreciate how hard it is for families to gather, which is why CNY is always so special.

28 Feb 2025 (Fri): Celebrated SIL's birthday with the family

Lost some good team members at work this year, but thankful I got to work with them.

Pheww...the last 6 months had been busy and tiring.

Finally received my Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite status in 2025! 10 years in the US and miraculously managed to secure Platinum status every year. =)

As usual...ending the post with my Sunday Meal Prep Routine. 

Yes, I take this photos every week even though it looks like I cook the same thing over and over again. 10 years of meal preppng and still going strong...this is consistency and discipline...haha!

7 Sep 2024 & 20 Oct 2024 (Sun): Sweet and sour chicken with rice, pork herbal soup with mushroom, stir-fry veggies, brocolli, carrots & celery, potato salad.

27 Oct 2024 & 3 Nov 2024 (Sun): Chicken herbal soup with rice, baked chicken with chili seasoning, stir-fry veggies, carrots. 

10 & 17 Nov 2024 (Sun): Pork tenderloin congee, baked chicken with chili seasoning, stir-fry veggies, meatball pasta, lettuce, brocolli, carrots, and celery.

24 Nov 2024 & 8 Dec 2024 (Sun): Baked chicken with chili seasoning, mash potatoes, pork tenderloin congee, stir-fry veggies, meatball pasta, brocolli, carrots, and celery.

22 & 29 Dec 2024 (Sun): Baked chicken with chili seasoning, pasta, stir-fry veggies, mash potatoes, brocolli, carrots, and celery.

5 & 12 Jan 2025 (Sun): Baked chicken with chili seasoning, mash potatoes, chicken herbal soup, meatball pasta, stir-fry veggies, brocolli, carrots, and celery.

19 & 26 Jan 2025 (Sun): Baked chicken with chili seasoning, mash potatoes, chicken congee with veggies, chicken herbal soup with rice, stir-fry veggies, brocolli, carrots and celery.

2 & 9 Feb 2025 (Sun): Chicken herbal soup with rice, stir-fry veggies, meatball pasta, tomyum soup with mussels and veggies, baked pork tenderloin, brocolli, carrots, and celery.

16 & 23 Feb 2025 (Sun): Chicken herbal soup with rice, baked chicken with chili seasoning, meatball pasta, stir-fry veggies, brocolli, carrots and celery.

2 & 9 Mar 2025 (Sun): Pork herbal soup with rice, baked chicken with chili seasoning, mash potatoes, meatball pasta, stir-fry veggies, brocolli, carrots, and celery.

16 & 23 Mar 2025 (Sun): Chicken herbal soup with rice, baked chicken with chili seasoning, mash potatoes, red potatoes, stir-fry veggies, brocolli, carrots, and celery.

Homecoming Trip 2024 ✈ Malaysia 3.0

After wrapping up my 3-weeks work trip in India, I took a detour home to Malaysia to visit the family before returning to the US. Thankful to be able to travel home again for the 3rd time in 2024 after my last home trip in Apr/May 2024.

5-6 Oct 2024 (Sat-Sun): Kolkata - Singapore - Penang

Departed the hotel at 7.30pm and made it to the airport at 8.25pm. Thanks Bipul for helping with my heavy luggages and Zia for the ride to the airport. The city was lit up in preparation for Durga Puja celebrations. Thankfully, no hiccups at the airport this time around. 

Quick stop at the lounge in Kolkata airport before catching my 11.30pm flight.

4 hours red-eye flight from Kolkata - Singapore on SIA Airbus A350-900 that comes with the nicer version of business class on this route. 

Had Singapore Sling, smoked turkey wrapped asparagus, braised sea bass in garlic ginger sauce. Not a good idea eating at 2am coz I got only 2 hours of sleep before arriving Singpaore at 6.20am.

Went to the Silverkris lounge for my 3.5 hours transit in Changi. Plenty of time to enjoy all the asian food and Singapore Laksa.

Short 1.5 hours flight from Singapore to Penang at 9.45am. =)

6-13 Oct 2024 (Sun-Sun): 1 week in Penang

Arrived Penang at 11am with my many luggages...lol! Thanks big bro and SIL for picking me up from the airport. 

Being home means spending quality time with the family even though this was a short trip. I asked the family not to let grannies know that I was going back so it was fun to surprise them when I visited. Grandma and granduant are in their 90s and 80s. I am thankful they are healthy and doing very well for their age. They are one of the main reasons why I try to travel home and spent more time at home when I'm back.

Got a haircut and also asked grandaunt to help seam my safari shirt. :)  

Of course gotta load up on all the food before I leave.

13-14 Oct 2024 (Sun-Mon): Penang - Singapore - Doha - Dallas - Huntsville

Coincidentally, our dear friends had their baby when I was back, so I was able to visit them at the hospital. After a short week at home, it was time to say goodbye and begin my long journey. Thanks to big bro, SIL, and mom for dropping me off at the airport.

 I was able to use the Krisflyer Elite Silver counter which had no line, and got lucky the staff didn't say anything about my luggage which were overweight by 5kg (supposed to be 35kg as I was traveling economy). Went to the Plaza Premium Lounge in Penang airport with my Priority Pass.

Flight #1: 1.5 hours from Penang to Singapore at 12pm on Singapore Airlines. See you Penang!

Arrived Changi at 1.40pm with 5 hours to spare before my next flight. My next flight was on a separate ticket so I had to go through immigration, pick up my bags, and re-check in. Found a quiet spot to repack (consolidate) my bags coz the luggage allowance for my next flight is much higher and I didn't wanna lug another carry-on around. Had to lug all my bags from T2 to T1 so it was another round of airport workout. Found out that the shorter/better way to go from T2 to T1 is to take the skytrain from T2-T3, T3-T1...and a bonus is seeing the Jewel waterfall from the train. The Qatar check in counter wasn't opened yet so I waited for about 30 min before I could check in.

Did not know that Qatar had its own lounge in Changi airport T1 so I was glad to be able to check it out this time. I had about 2 hours before my flight, which was just enough to enjoy a good meal, champagne, Singapore Sling, and get a shower.

Ala carte meals in teh lounge. Enjoyed my last bit of Asian food before leaving Asia. The server tried recommending the steak but I told him I wanted Asian food...lol!

Flight #2: 8 hours from Singapore - Doha on Qatar Qsuite at 6.45pm. Slept only about 3 hours and spent the rest of the time editing Kenya videos.

Had scallop, seared tuna with organic herbs, avocado and chili, Lobster with signature shrimp paste fried rice and braised chicken, gourmet ice cream, and steamed bao buns with roasted duck. 

Back in Doha airport again for a 3.5 hours transit. Took another shower to refresh before my next long flight, and had some salmon sushi as I wasn't too hungry. 

Flight #3: 16.5 hours from Doha - Dallas on Qatar Qsuite. My final bougie flight on this trip so definitely enjoying it to the fullest.

 Lucky that they served caviar on this flight so of course I've gotta try it. It was my first time trying caviar so I had no idea the 'right' way of enjoying it. Had the Pan seared black angus beef filet and gourmet ice cream after departure, then slept for a good 10 hours before waking up to edit videos. Had Cauliflower soup and Prawn sorpotel with basmati rice before arrival.

Landed in Dallas at 9.17am, got off the plane at 9.40am, and was through immigration by 9.45am...super efficient Global Entry. Spent the next 7 hours working in the AA Flagship lounge right after getting off the 16 hours flight, and took flight #4...1.5 hours from Dallas to Huntsville on AA.