and it feels so good!
Once upon a time, I and my wife thought of working abroad for obvious reasons. But despite the fact that we’re both kids of OFW-parents, it never crossed our minds how difficult it is to be away from each other. Or perhaps, either we less know what to actually expect or we’re in denial that we’re not that tough to withstand distance.
As they say, “everything has its sweet ending.”
Those days of homesickness and loneliness for almost 5 months (read : not even half a year yet!) came to a close as Tina and Gabby arrived from Pinas to Penang (via KL) last Saturday morning, 11th December.

It was good for my family that they boarded the flight via Cebu Pacific with a fellow Filipino who’s a cousin of my colleague here. They only met at NAIA 3 and accompanied each other all throughout their waiting period at Kuala Lumpur-LCCT to Penang Airport via another budget-friendly carrier, Air Asia..
Teksi (bahasa melayu’s term for taxi) rides here in Penang can cost you a fortune (read : kuripot me), so we’re used to riding the wifi-ready Rapid Penang buses…

We went home directly to our appartment and they’ve finally met 2 of my 4 housemates/friends/colleagues. We took shower and freshen up and never wasted time by starting to explore what Penang has to offer…

From our place in Butterworth, we rode a bus again, reached the jetty where ferries that take passenger to and from Penang Island are waiting. Good thing that Tina tolerated the ferry ride despite the fact that she lacked sleep, worse has occasional vertigo.

Apparently happy…
We’re hitting the roads the sea and even the clouds in this part of Malaysia on the following days.
Till then…
i can see from all your faces how happy all of you to see each other. Buti may nakasama sila papunta dyan.
PS. hehehe tawa lang ako dun last pic. sama ng tingin nung guy sa likod nyo ;p
thanks, iana. it was only 5 months of being away from each other but it felt a lifetime. ganoon pala pakiramdam. kaya sobrang saya, obvious naman di ba? š
deadma na sa mga nasa background ng picture, hehehe.
huwaw!!! this first reunion post is making me kilig to the bones!!! bakas sa inyong mga mukha ang pagkasabik sa isa’t isa (tama ba ang filipino ko? LoL).
Maiba: has anyone told me Ms. Tina before that she can pass as Karen Davila’s sister? It just came to me this morning when I remembered your FB shoutout about Davila’s reply to your tweet. Wala lang na isip ko lang. š
Ay basta, kinikilig talaga ako para sa inyong tatlo.
matutuwa nyan si tina pagnabasa itong comment mo, ingrid.
at least level up na mga kamukha nya, from assunta darossi and valerie concepcion daw, ngayon pangalawa ka na nagsabi na blogmate ko na hawig sya kay karen davila. salamat!
*kilig ba?* hehehe…
.. you’ve waited long enough for this day gelo! i’m so glad seeing you with them again.
hey rob. musta na? ganoon pala pakiramdam nang nawawalay sa minamahal. *naks!*
go0d 2 kn0w ur family had a safe trip…
Iba talaga pag ksma mo pmilya mu lalo n s pasko.i cud see ur faces leap wit j0y! Enj0y d vacati0n.
sana 24 na para mkauwi na k0.i miss my family as well.ihvnt bin back n d phils since aprl 2009
omg such a wonderful scene. definitely, this will give you a merry merry merry xmas! š
Yehey! They’re reunited! you all Look so good!
ang saya saya. kitang kita sa mga ngiti.
Hooray! Hindi malamig Christmas mo this year, doc! š Hope Tina and Gabby enjoy their trip!
happy happy! hanggang kelan sila dyan docgelo?
i’m so happy for you!!!! š
oh wow! REUNITED! Sorry took me a while to visit your site. Was really busy dealing with real life. LOL.
I’m so happy to see you with your family again. Sarap ng feeling noh? I’ll be reunited with my own family this Dec 21 and I can’t wait to spend the Holidays with them.
Enjoy kayo Doc! Take care and Happy Christmas! š
wow, doc! anajan na sila gabby at tina… hayyayayayay sa wakas… hehe dati po diba sabi mo sa akin months lang, natagalan din po pala pero at least anjan na sila…
i miss your pinas food adventures doc! sa ayala triangle dami po nag-open na restos…
It must have been such an amazing feeling to finally see and hold them again after 5 months of separation. Hopefully you never have to be apart again.
Are you drawing up list of resolutions for 2011?
Many thanks for your patience, and for visiting Norwich Daily Photo and leaving your comment. Come visit again tomorrow!