‘I won’t be around for Rauf’s 1st Birthday, so I want you to come with me to Singapore’
That was what Joe told me a few days shy from Rauf’s Birthday. So we booked the tickets, packed our bags and left for Singapore. Lucky it was just an hour flight away, if it were somewhere else I think I would have strangled him.
I must say, I was really hesitant about this trip because it was so last minute, but it turned out to be a really good ‘working’ holiday. I say ‘working’ because it’s never a holiday when you have a baby with you and the only downside for this trip was seeing Joe at night for just an hour or two.
Central Perk
Kat tagged along as well, which made it 1000 times fun. Our first stop upon arrival was the Central Perk Café. Growing up loving and worshipped the F.R.I.E.N.D.S TV show, it felt like I was in a dream for 5 minutes, and being there with KAT, I was floating! Sure, it wasn’t the real thing but being at a place that looked almost exactly like Monica’s kitchen gave me goosebumps!
Que the Smellycat song, please!
Goddesses
Best part about studying abroad all these years? Having friends literally all over the globe, and thank goodness I have some friends that live in Singapore: Goddess, Jess, Goddess In and Goddess Zah.
Jess and I were college mates, our mutual love for cats, kebabs, bubble tea and all things funny and wild brought us close during our early college days. When she left halfway through university, it broke my heart, but I knew no matter we will always keep in touch. I used to joke that she ‘replaced’ my ex-boyfriend who shares the same name with her. Well, lucky me, cause I know she and I are for LIFE.
In and Zah were so gracious with their time and even reached out to me when they found out I was in the City. We had dinner and throughout the entire time I kept reminding myself how lucky I am to have met them because they always, always, always inspire me to be strong. I met them when I was facing a difficult time in Perth and they helped lift me up from drowning. Bless them. Bless them always!
ArtScience
The last time I was here, the Andy Warhol exhibition blew me away and I vowed the next time I am in Singapore I would go there again. Even though we didn’t have much time we managed to squeeze in the Lights Exhibition in the ArtScience Museum. The exhibitions were interactive and half of them were kid friendly so Rauf had the time of his life.
The Zoo
Knowing how obsessed Rauf is with Sesame St, I thought of bringing him to Universal Studios. But given that he has no clue with what’s going on, and one ticket would cost me $80, I decided to bring him to the Singapore Zoo instead. Sorry Rauf, you’ll meet Elmo one day just not now okay.
Our trip Singapore was short, but so sweet. It would have been perfect if Joe had more time with us but he was too busy trying to work for our future so it’s okay. I hope Rauf reads this one day and realizes how lucky he is to have a loving and hardworking dad.
YANAKAZMAN 