A week in Singapore

Singapore is 47 year old this year and National Day falls on the 9th August. Proud to say, for the 3rd consecutive year, I've been going back to Singapore for the National Day.

It bugs me when taxi drivers ask where Im from. From memory, no one amongst my peers spoke Singlish as I was growing up in Singapore, I did speak lousy English, but it just wasn't Singlish. So since when do we have to speak like that to be considered Singaporean?? Ah whatever lah, speaking Singlish is so farnee den why not try to speak more loh. Dun say I neber try.

This year, Et joined me in Singapore, he desperately needed a break from all the territory flying.

As I had a job to do in Manila, I joined him 2 days later, giving him quality time with his french kaki- they indulged in playing tennis and swiming in the condo, rock climbing at a club and pizza gorging.

That was the gloomy manila airport before being hit by heavy rain and flood. How lucky was I not to have been stucked there!

My sis and her cute family came to fetch me at the airport, and it struck me that it is a nice feeling to have someone fetching you after your flight. A familar face, a warm hug, a sleepy one from my nephew! The last time someone came to fetch me was almost 3 years ago when I came back from Paris, oh and there were 2 of them actually who came, Julie and her embryo Gloria.

Without a rest, I met the Cai and Fifis' families for dinner and it ended with me sleeping on the Cai family sofa with a movie 失恋33天 unfinished at midnight. I was exhausted but it was so nice to see everyone and I did not want to leave. Finally my host had to kick me out by driving me all the way from the southwest to the north east of the Singapore island to make sure I landed safely at my sister's place at 1am. Such good friends :)

Next morning, I had brekky with Stephanie who lives nearby and we went to Hougang mall for toileteries shopping. When my appartment is built, I know where to buy my stuffs! Oh another cheap thrill news- the walls of my unit have been built! The construction is up to the 16th floor now. So fun, it is almost like monitoring a lego game.

For lunch we went to botanics garden for a family reunion. My nephew loved the outdoor playground and the lake. And that was also when I reunited with Et.

The week passed by so fast as 2 days were spent on medical matters, leaving us only 5 precious days to catch up with family and friends and complete our shopping list. Et seriously shopped... and the most generous purchase was my 35yr old birthday gift, not one, but 2 diamonds, one for each of my earlobes :)

Time never seems to be enough whenenver Im in Singapore, I've met up with as many friends as I could (the windsurf gang, HH from Dubai, Julie, Liyan, Caro, Belle etc) but there were a few of them I couldn't meet (Jen, Suet, Xiaoning etc) as by the time I had my second op, I was too weak and had to cancel the appointments.

Looking at this hospital photo again and remembering the sucky feeling after the op, I am so grateful to R&A for letting us house-sit their lovely holiday-like pent house. The best thing for a patient after being knocked out by GA is to be able to go back to rest in a place like home. Below -that bright red couch was the most comfortable bed ever!

The babies are turning 2 year old this year.. ALREDI! Cant wait to be back in Nov.