Reflection

It's funny how it's not the New Year which causes reflection in my head, but it's birthday's. It might be because my birthday is so close to New Year.

Hi, yes, another long absence and I don't even bother being polite. Forget the niceties, lets just get right into the nuts and bolts of it.

I have a friend who is having major health issues at the moment and I have to admit it has rocked me to the core. Someone I have known for about 35 years, who is not part of the family. She is a vibrant woman who has done loads of travel and very rarely stops. One of those people who swims at lunch, walks in the jungle after work, then heads home to make pesto and hummus. Basically makes the rest of us 'normal' folk feel like sloths. So when she suddenly can't walk more than 300 meters, can't drive herself around and can't make pesto, it's a shock to say the least. Luckily she is mentally resilient.

Why am I telling you this?

Because it has made me think. Yep, I can do that at times.

It has made me think about that one step forward, five back thing that happens. And now I shall share my pearls of wisdom with you about why I think we get impatient like that. I am an expert you know.

I have decided that that is what happens when one is impatient with a situation. I think that if you can take that situation as it is and are doing what you can within your powers, then you feel that you are slowly forging forward. If you are impatient with where you are at then any roadblock or set back seems huge and makes it feel like you are losing ground and doing a fantastic backwards slide.

This is how I have felt during alot of what has gone on over the past few years. I have been so desperate to get out of whatever mindframe/situation that we have been in that I have felt very much like a 'victim' by which I mean out of control of what is happening and not being able to make any head way.

At other times I have embraced where I was at and accepted things for what they are and then it doesn't seem so bad. I think everything is a process, and if you try to circumvent it, that's when the backwards stuff comes in. Easy to say in hindsight.

"love is in the air, love is in the air." Radio distracted me for a minute.

It's birthday time here I have been down this past week or so. Not majorly, just feeling like I am a slave to the boys, which I know isn't true. But I haven't set myself up with things for me. I think that is part of feeling guilt and of not having control of the situation, therefor feeling like I don't deserve anything for me. Especially as it would mean asking more of hubby, not that he would object and doesn't but that's not a solution. I want some independence back.

So, time for a job. Something nice and flexible from home. Something that enables me to gain control, make decisions and feel that I am gainfully contributing, even if it is only to my own well being. Hmm, just reread that sentence and wonder if I am very selfish or feel like a lot of mothers, who are at a cross roads and starting to rediscover the joys of life outside of motherhood.

Wow, where did all that come from? I think I should be on Oprah with my retrospective clarity.

I think it is certainly time for me to go and get on with the day. Afterall that's what I have been saying.

Carpe diem.

Life gets busy and time for blogging disappears

Hello,

I know, I know, my blog has fallen by the wayside, but I have just been sooooo busy (lying by the pool) and just haven't had a chance.

Actually we have been a bit busy. For the last month we have had hubby's mum (Nana) here, which has been both good and exhausting. Always tiring showing someone around, but at the same time rather envigorating. It is also nice to explore and share this wonderful city with someone who hasn't been here for about 36 years. It's changed quite a bit. To be honest I think that the modernity of the city was rather lost on Nana. But we found it impressive all over again and realised hosw much we enjoy it here.

Why is it that people forget to bring good walking shoes when they travel? The best way to see Singapore is by foot, but we couldn't do much walking and true exploring until a new pair of decent walking shoes were purchased. So in the final week of Nana's stay we had to cramm quite a bit in.

There was the complusary visits to Chinatown, where much shopping was done and of course dinner at Maxwell food court, which has to be a highlight for us. Hubby and I are suckers for a good nosh up at the local food courts. Nana enjoyed it, I think.............

We also did the walk around Clarke Quay down to Marina Bay Sands, which is where the big new casino is. This place is really mad. I have to say. The architecture is just spacey, and there is something new being created all the time. It really is a bit more like urban art than boring old buildings.

Marina Bay Sands - Casino, hotel and exclusive shopping centre

The Durian.

Nana was also required to join us on a trip to Phuket for a week. It were bliss. We rented a villa and it felt like we were in the country. The occasional sewerage waft was testament to that. They had these wonderful upright bikes with baskets on the front which we used to go to the beach, which was about 15 mins ride away. Max fitted in the basket just right. Responsible parenting at it's best.
We were near Layan beach which for the most part ws totally deserted. Perfect. It had a little wave which was just enough to make swimming fun. It reminded me how much I love the sea. We really did'nt spend enough time on the beach. Next time I am not leaving it. The lure of shopping got the better of us.

Layan Beach

Coconut Beach

So, a car was hired and off to explore the more populated areas. Kamala beach and Patong beach are lovely, but over crowded. Not necessarily with people, but with sun loungers and umbrellas. Boats and other watersports cluttered up the ocean, and if this is your perfect holiday then, you would be in heaven.

Patong the shopping was fun. The first day was the best. We felt like we had landed in shopping paradise. Wandering the markets and bartering is exhilerating, helped along with a beer or two at lunch. We ventured back twice more, but it wasn't the same. It felt a bit forced by that point. 



We were there in the evening and did take a walk down the notorious sex district. It was a buzz. Not good, not bad just thrumming. We got caught in a torrential downpour and had to find a bar to wait out the rain. Pina colada's were required and my son was fawned over by the "ladies".

Our son did get to feed and pat an elephant which were huge highlights for him. He is even talking about wanting to be an Elephant when he grows up. We is only 2!

Ok, I have spent much longer then I anticipated writing this, actually I was trying to insert some photo's but it doesn't seem to want to play, so I'll attach them instead.

Sorry for the abrupt end to this, but there are things I need to be doing.

Hope everyone is well and in a festive mood?