Months, MONTHS late with these photos, but I thought I’d share what little photos I managed to take and borrow (thank you Andrea and Famiza!) that were taken during our trip to Singapore in late January.

A bit of a milestone for us – I flew solo with both kiddies in late January on a budget airline to Singapore and stayed at Gail’s for 10 days. It was quite the ride. Bear in mind that this was back in the days when Atticus was still a terrible sleeper and we were just days out from attending a sleep clinic out of desperation. (One day I’ll summon the energy to talk about Atticus’s sleeping, if only to remind him one day what a tyrant he was for the first 15 months of his life!)

What I was mentally prepared for was a potentially difficult airplane ride, where I would need to depend on the kindness of strangers and/or grow a very thick skin. What I was less prepared for was a long delay ON THE TARMAC with the kids, which meant an extra hour and a half cooped up in the plane, resulting with all three of us finally tumbling into bed at Gail’s after 1am Canberra time. The children were fabulous, however. They hardly slept on the plane, but Arddun was contented and cooperative, and Atticus just wanted to make friends. I was also flanked on all sides by couples of many nationalities who gave me Shiny Eyes of Encouragement with Big Smiles whenever I glanced their way, and a stewardess who ushered me to the business class toilets so I would never have to queue. It was one of our better flights, and I emerged exhausted but more in love with my children than ever, just because I was so thankful they didn’t give me hell.

I was less prepared for Singapore, however.

There is something truly debilitating about humidity. It completely sapped my energy the entire time we were there, and I found I really struggled to maintain composure and good humour whenever it was hottest and muggiest. I hated the weather. I longed to catch up with everybody and enjoy myself more, but I really yearned for the climate back home. I had just left Canberra after a particularly scorching week, and yet Singapore’s climate — though lower in temperature — really made me feel miserable at times. Coupled with the sheer physicality required to constantly haul two children to appointment after appointment, I was thoroughly depleted by the end of each day.

And yet, what a blessing to catch up with so many. I caught up with school friends from Ngee Ann and friends from Mei Chin — both rather rare treats, even rarer now that we have to coordinate children’s schedules. I had the best homemade durian cheesecake — ever. The kind that makes your eyes roll to the back of your head, and eat until you die a happy, fat lady with severe halitosis. Kenneth, if your mother ever monetises her cheesecakes, I think there’d be a queue months long.

I really loved staying at Gail’s as that meant our girls could play together, and we could catch up late into the night. At the age of 15, or even 25, I would never have imagined us browsing Suntec City as two not-stay-at-home mothers with our children. The Japanese lunch was probably the most predictable thing in that picture!

I loved seeing the church in Singapore again. Sundays are crazy-overwhelming as the sheer volume of people descends on us like a huge wave each time. But warmth, the glee, the genuine delight in seeing each other again… It is a wonderful family reunion. In many ways, I can’t wait for heaven because we’d finally have eternity to catch up in depth and in earnest.

My family. Now that Arddun is older, I can tell she knows who is kith and kin. She relaxes with them in a way she relaxes with us at home. Even though we are physically apart for most of the year, it’s so good to see her understanding who her family is.

Home. This was the first trip where I wasn’t staying in my old house at Mei Ling Street. But until I came back to Singapore and felt the full effects of never getting to step through that sweet, familiar doorway again, I was always in limbo. Now that my mother’s flat in Mei Ling Street is gone, home is definitely Canberra now.

If it hadn’t been so full-on solo-parenting with the kids, I think I might have sat down to cry a little or a lot. But we were surrounded by friends and loved ones, and so I didn’t. The transition has to happen at some point, after all. My immediate family is in Australia. My life is in Australia. Singapore will always hold my beginnings and own my heart. I will always be faithful to her. But I am married to Australia now. It’s taken me 11 years after the wedding, but I’ve finally leaving and cleaving country-wise. Even now, it doesn’t feel like I’ve completely reached the other side. But losing my mother’s house has been a big push to truly embrace the other.

 

I wish I had taken more photos. I realise now that I hadn’t taken a single one with Gail and her family, the biggest regret from the trip considering how much time we spent with them. The only consolation is that we’ll see them in November, God willing. And I’ll be sure then to document our precious time together.

Here are some other memories and moments.

20160207033233
Getting to know his Pee Poh again
20160207032437
Second cousins
20160207032958
Arddun adores them both. She is going to be SO happy when she eventually realises that they’ll be visiting for 10 days in June! Not telling her yet, so ssshhh!
20160207032530
I’m really not sure what’s going on there, but they’re having fun
20160207033327
Arddun’s day out with Aunty Andy. Soooo excited!
20160207033131
Judging from Arddun’s facial expression, we’re not sure what she was trying to achieve… making off with blue and white balls under her dress, or world domination.
20160207033149
Dazed and Confused lot
20160207033237
Comfortable with Uncle Ben much?
20160207033031
Training for fatherhood: volunteering to get the boy to sleep, and then finding out that you kenna stuck in the same position until he wakes up.
12604769_10154509754529829_8283039552911291389_o
Haven’t seen some of these wonderful ladies for 25 years! These are my primary 6 classmates and Math teacher!
20160218013514
Waiting for the fountain at Raffles City. I used to sit around there and wait for friends to turn up for dinner.
20160218013512
Taxi ride, probably the highlight for both girls because they get to travel in a car without child seats! Wonderful that Fam and Leila could join our holiday!
20160218013527
Enjoying a leisurely stroll at the River Safari
20160218013532
First ride at Universal Studios. Madagascar!
20160218013530
Waiting for the merry-go-round
20160218013523
Revving up to Chinese New Year at Universal Studios
20160207032619
Besties posing after a very nice seafood dinner
20160207032131
Found this selfie in my phone, to my amusement
20160207033056
Cutlery shenanigans before dinner. Who are their parents, tut tut tut!
20160207033039
Taxi ride with his Yee Poh
20160207032519
Atticus, wondering why he’s stuck in (Grand) Uncle Chew’s phone
20160207032504
Enjoying grapes and Uncle Shawn’s company
12647099_10153264234980766_5019451927185434194_n
Last-minute catch up with Audrey and Deborah! So glad we could sneak in a lunch before our flight back
20160207033231
Taking a drive with Uncle Shawn in his nifty Changi Airport ride
20160207033225
Soooo tired. Not even on the plane yet!
20160207032918
Quiet time with Yee Poh. Until the next time we meet again, xx