Back in Action

Dressed for the "South Pole" in full summer

The kids started playing the minute they were home. They've missed their toys.

I had been without internet for 2 months. I was home for that long too but that didn't stop me from feeling sad as I was taking off at Changi airport 2 nights ago. Reaching Italy, I felt kind of surreal, trying to pin down what it was like being in Singapore one moment and then back in Europe the next - but that eluded me.

If I didn't have those 5 luggages (super over-loaded, had to carry one with me on the plane - and got into some trouble as I had a kid's cutlery set inside) and an amazing bouquet of curry, laksa and lime leaves from my aunt's garden in front of me, I could almost forget that I've been to Singapore. But of course each time I weigh myself, it would be difficult denying that I've passed through Asia, all those roast duck noodles and seafood horfun have left the blood stream and settled down in the cellulite - probably for good if I do not do something about it.

I am a little perplexed as to why I couldn't seem to "feel" what it was like to be in Singapore just a few days before. It is like I'm capable only of living the present and condamned to figuring out my past, as in "did it happen or did it not?" When I was younger I dreamt of moving from one country to another; now, I am cursed with occasional images of people I've met, places I've been to, things I've eaten...and a need to wonder about what is happening to everything and everybody all the time. I am going crazy...

The flight had been quite smooth. If only I could say the same about most of the KLM air hostesses' faces. On my 1st trip to Europe 17 years ago, I flew with KLM. I thought that those ladies were archaic then. Thay haven't aged, if you wish.

I do not (totally) agree with SIA's policy of only hiring slim and young women; but when you're flying with them, it is pleasant to have beauty and grace in front of you and a few smiles. Those ladies on my KLM flight hardly smiled and I swear the one serving my aisle actually frowned when I couldn't decide quickly enough whether I wanted orange juice or water. When Baby Boy said he wanted a 2nd glass of Apple juice, I begged him to forget it as I couldn't find the courage to ring for her. I almost threw him out of the plane when he started crying because she served his Child's meal to Eldest Son (the brothers exchanged seats) and the teenager actually ate it.

But the inflight entertainment was quite good (compared to zero on Lufthansa) and the lamb with mashed potatoes on the SIN-AMS leg was even quite yummy. But the best must be the sandwiches between AMS and BOL, I ate up mine plus those rejected by the children. And I normally dislike sandwiches. Dutch bread is good as is their caramel biscuit.

However, I agree with Shirlina that I may wish to reconsider flying with KLM again - because immigration at Schipol could be a pain. I entered Europe with my Singapore passport and my 3 kids' French ones - and they stopped me, wanting to check the authenticity of my Italian identification pass. With a Singapore passport I wouldn't need a visa anyway and with 3 European children I would hardly be material for clandestinity, don't you think so? They should be begging me to take up European citizenship. I was asked to wait in a queue comprising only of coloured people - from Indonesia, Nigeria etc. Took the opportunity to brush up my Malay with the poor guys and made the most of looking thoroughly bored each time the immigration officer looked my way. Comforted myself that if they were smarter they wouldn't be immigration officers.

The house had been invaded by crickets (they literally jump out when you open doors and cupboards), flies, spiders and their webs. Wasps had colonised the parasol outside. The cleaning lady had for some reason known only to herself moved half of our shoes to the guest room the last time she was here (cleaning after for Hub). There is dust everywhere. Half a dead pigeon and all of its feathers remained outside our door. Don't you think the owners ought to pay us to stay in the house instead?

School starts for the kids in a few days and we're set for one birthday party even before it does. I am so very far behind with my blogging and I'm already back to planning and cooking meals. Did I really go to Singapore? To Penang, Saigon and Bintan Island? I must surely have. Miss my parents already. Nobody to wash and iron my clothes and buy me breakfast...