I have been planning to have a simple lunch here on Sunday with Pete's sisters and mum. I have already decided on what to serve - all local Malay food, including the traditional pineapple tarts. I wanted Pete and his family to have a taste of my tradition. However, when I was talking to my family, I was sensing that they were a bit sad that I was not going to be there with them. I have never been away from the family during hari raya, until now, that is. During our conversation that day, the festive mood seemed to be absent. They didn't seem to be excited as they told me about their preparations for the festivities.
I decided to talk to Pete about it and we thought that maybe I could go back and visit them. I had to sort out some stuff and renew my passport anyway, so this would be the best time to go home. Pete helped me to book the tickets the next day but I waited till two days ago to tell them since I wanted it to be a sort of a surprise.
My mum was happy when I told her, but she was disappointed when she found out that Pete could not come with me. He has to stay here since there are meetings and courses for him to attend. He also has to continue to search for locations for our food business. I will be away for two months so that I have enough time to settle whatever I need back home. It's also a good time to go home for awhile before I start my Swedish classes and before our food business is up and running. Once those things start, I doubt I would have time to go back home.
It will be fun to go home and meet my family and friends again. Although I have only been here for a bit more than three months, I do miss the people back home. I'll get to celebrate hari raya and my mum's birthday in September with the family. I'll get to meet up with my friends - I have already been invited to a BBQ. I also have some stuff that I didn't get to bring with me in May. I'm bringing three suitcases with me which hopefully will give me enough room to bring over more stuff.
Pete has been so understanding about this since I am going to be away for a while. We didn't plan on this so it is sort of a surprise for him as well. I feel bad about leaving him alone for two months, especially since his birthday is coming soon . But he is totally fine with it. I decided to cook and freeze some of his favourite dishes. That's the least I could do since I didn't want him to have to go back to chips, fish sticks and take outs while I am away. I have made lasagna, beef stew, meatballs, grilled chicken breasts and chicken pot pies, enough for maybe three weeks worth of food. I also cut up some watermelon and baked karleks mums for dessert.
I'm really having mixed feelings about this - happy and excited to be home with my family and friends, and yet sad to be away from Pete. But I know that I would have to make the most of this trip. I probably won't be going back any time soon after that. So I will spend time with my family, meet up with my friends and eat as much chicken rice, nasi lemak and all the foods that I miss. I know there's a lovely hari raya meal waiting for me and I'll be able to enjoy it very soon.
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