Major Monday Blues; Countered Only By Sweet Memories

I am pathetic. I look awful, feel terrible... I need help. ARRRGH!!!!

I finally had a weekend to catch up with my rest. Yep, it seems like it was forever since the last time I had time to myself. I spent my weekends just like any other before the month of March, but somehow, I did not enjoy it as much as I did in the past. I hate being alone, especially when I am pushed over the edge by emotions and waiting in anxiety.

Mom, Su-Anne, Godma, and Aunt BeeBee visited me in Macao from March 20-26. Even though I might not have expressed my joy of having them with me in the popular or conventional way, I was happy and thankful that they took some time out of their busy schedule to spend the Easter weekend with me. I had an idea of what a vacation is for each of my visitors, and I hope that they enjoyed their stay in Macao. Mom just wants to see what life is like in a different place, Su-Anne likes shopping and tourist must-dos, Godma loves shopping at the local market and preparing dishes from the ingredients found, and Aunt Bee Bee, well, I know that we enjoy our conversations together, oh yes, she loves bread too. Trying to fit all I can do for them in the week they were here, even though things did not work out exactly like what I had in mind, and tempers did flare a little, but honestly speaking, I really miss them.

I sneaked out of the office on a "sick leave" the Thursday they arrived. It was not a total lie as I did have a headache and wanted to nurse my jet lag. Would emotional distress count as a sickness too? Anyways, the following is a brief report of what the family did when they were here. I met them at my apartment around 2pm and we went out for congee miscellaneous Chinese snacks and dessert right after they left their luggage. We then covered the local street market at and made dinner at home. We then left for the Ruins of St.Paul and made our way through Senado Square and the Grand Lisboa Hotel before enjoying what Wynn has to offer. After we enjoyed the fountain show, we walked through the Lan Kwai Fong of Macao and making a brief stop of the golden statue of the Goddess of Mercy before heading home.

On Friday, I was at work while the family went sight-seeing at Fisherman's Wharf and the Macao Handover Gifts Museum before meeting up with me for a Portuguese lunch. They continued the day of sight-seeing by covering various tourist spots at St. Paul's and I met up with the at the square for dinner at my favorite restaurant, "Wong Zhi Kei."

On Saturday, we went over to Hong Kong and stayed with Aunt Marina, mom's friend from her days in school. Aunt Marina lives in a lovely apartment at Discovery Bay, a 25 minute ferry ride from the center of Hong Kong. We were not able to cover much due to the wet and rainy day we had, but spent time in shopping malls, Starbucks, and had roasted goose at the famous "Yoong Kei" before taking a stroll at the real Lan Kwai Fong.

We had much better weather on Sunday and managed to visit the big Buddha at Lantau Island. I was glad that the trip was possible as I could see how much it meant to Aunt Bee Bee. Godma was just as pleased as she could finally visit the place. It was her 4th visit to Hong Kong and in the past, she never did make it there. We covered the Buddhist pilgrimage spot and did our own pilgrimage to the outlet mall located at Tung Chung Station. Almost everyone of us got a new pair of sport shoes. Mom got herself a pair of funky K-Swiss. The shoes look so good on her. I would have been a little envious, but I have bought myself a pair of Nikes that are simply fabulous. We then had a scrumptious meal of Dim Sum, and went over to shop at Mongkok. Aunt Marina treat us to a classy TeoChew dinner before calling it a day.

Even though it was a holiday in Hong Kong, the family and I made it back to Macau early Monday morning. We were pissed off with the ordeal faced at the Macao ferry terminal, and it was the first time in a VERY long while that I unleashed my wrath in public. A rude mainland Chinese had his pride seriously attacked at when he offended Godma and myself. Anyways, I got myself to work while the rest of the family returned to my place before setting out for a day wandering the neighborhood. They found the wet market complex at Iao Hon, and Su-Anne and Godma got into a shopping frenzy at a local/Hong Kong fashion store that was having 80% off every item.

The team spent Tuesday visiting Taipa and the Venetian before heading back to the ZuHai boarder where they shopped till they dropped at Daiso, and did more shopping at that fashion house. During their stay here, I was treated to scrumptious meals. Godma is a superb cook and we enjoyed our meals with jokes and a little booze.

I would say that the week spent with the family was great in many levels. I got to know mom better as I see her with her friends, both past and present. I respect Su-Anne's patience with the ladies, Aunt BeeBee was fun to hang out with, and Godma is a whole bunch of fun, especially when it comes to shopping. I found out that I am unable to sleep on unfamiliar beds, and for the first time ever, I have gone through 40 hours with no sleep.

Now, I am back to the monotony of what life is for me in Macao.
Man! I really hate it. Please, please put an end to it soon.