Singapore Airshow 2008

Kyle has a thing for anything that has wheels and moves, such as planes, buses, cars ie. any mode of tranportation. Thus when I told him that we will be going for the Singapore Airshow at Changi, he was so excited about it and kept repeating to his grandparents that he will be going to see the fighter jets.

On the way there

We did not bring Kyra along as we planned to take public transport. It is too troublesome to bring along her pram and she would be quite disgruntled under the heat. We had also already anticipated the large size of the crowd, thus it would certainly be a major headache if we drove and could not manage to get a parking lot.

And the crowd was bad, man! When we arrived at Pasir Ris MRT, we saw the shuttle bus queue snaked twice around the MRT and bus interchange and onto the open field. There were already hundreds of people waiting in the queue. Lucky the queue was moving along as the frequency of the shuttle buses going to the Airshow was quite high.

The heat was quite unbearable and all of us were sweating profusely while waiting in the open field. It was then that I realize how protected my son was! Many times he cried to us, "Mama, Mama, so hot!" and kept asking us to carry him! Mind you, carrying a 15kg load under the hot sun and waiting for about 1.5hrs in the queue is no mean feat. Hubby and me had to take turns carrying him, cos he kept complaining of the heat and crying! I was at times embarrassed, and when I looked at other kids his age walking along and not complaining, it dawned on me that Kyle was just so used to the air-con and not playing enough out in the sun.

I advised Hubby that he better start taking his son out for soccer games and other man/boy activities that they are supposed to do! When it was finally our turn to board the bus, Kyle was suddenly happy again because of the air-con, and he starting laughing and singing again like his usual self. Oh boy. I told Hubby he really needs to start training Kyle to withstand the heat! In future, NS how like dat? Ok ok, I am looking way too far ahead, but I got really worried at that moment.

One incident which we were really mad about was this family cutting queue in front of us! Hubby told the man and his children off and the family was like, "It's ok what." We got really pissed off, and hubby complained about them to the police officer in charge of crowd control. I also could not stand the man's attitude, so I told the police officer that he better do something, because I and many others have been waiting under the sun for at least 1.5hours and it is so not fair that they can just cut in like that! He did his job and send them back to where they were originally. Haha!

Anyway, we arrived in time to see the air display. It was great! The fighter jets put up a spectacular show with their acrobatic displays. I wanted to stay put and watch the rest of the show, however Kyle started whining again about the heat and so we moved into the huge air-conditioned exhibition hall.

My pampered son. Closing his ears due to the loud noise caused by the figher jets zooming by in the sky.

Outside the exhibition hall

Anyway, the exhibition hall brought back the smile on Kyle's face as he saw the exhibits of the model aircrafts.





We then went out again of the hall to view the display of the actual fighter jets.

With an Apache helicopter. Wow!

With an RSAF Pilot I also cannot resist!

I feel that Kyle did enjoy himself despite the heat. He was in awe of the real-life displays of the RSAF jets and kept asking me to take a picture of him with the aircrafts.

Going home was a headache again as we had to push our way through thousands of people. The queues for the taxi and bus shuttle service back to Pasir Ris Interchange was never-ending. In the end, we paid $5/pax for a shuttle service back to town.

I don't think I will come back again if they hold another one next year. The crowds was horrendous and I do not think that there was proper planning of the crowd control by the organisers. Everyone seem disgruntled at the long queues and long hours of waiting.

Me and hubby agreed that a better way to see the air display show was to go to Changi beach and enjoy it from there. Save money also!

Happy Birthday A-Ngah!!

My SIL turned a year older on 15 Feb (better not disclose her age, quite a sensitive issue for us women, eh?) so we headed down to Tanjong Pagar Railway Station for makan.

My PIL have been raving about the makan place located at the railway station. It's supposed to be really good and they have been telling us about that place a few times already.

I was quite sceptical initially as whenever I pass by the railway station, it seems quite dilapidated and old and I certainly did not expect the food sold there to be good in any way.

When we reached there, the look and feel of the place confirmed my thoughts. It had the old colonial feel and when I stood there, I felt transported back in time to the 50s and 60s.

A view of the lobby

The food area was not exactly Hilton, as expected, but looks like a run-down food court. You may choose to dine outdoors under the stars or inside where there is air-con. I preferred indoors as the area outside was not well-kept.

We ordered mutton soup, satay, cockles, honeyed-chicken wings, sambal kangkong and beef paprika. Not bad, actually. The food made up for the not so appetising ambience.

The kids with their A-NgahHope you enjoyed yourself dear!

West Coast Park

I always bring Kyle and Kyra to the beach at East Coast Park. It is the ideal weekend getaway, where the kids can enjoy riding their bikes, having picnics by the sea or having ice-cream after playing at the playground.

I actually wanted to bring them there again today, since most of the shops are closed for CNY and there was no where else to go. However, hubby suggested that we venture to West Coast Park instead. It was worth a try since it was not too far from our house.

I was quite surprised when I reach there because I had the perception that it was quite 'ulu' and not as happening at East Coast Park. However it was very big and spacious and had lots of playground and exercise parks. Kyle was mesmerized by the place. There were so many kids' playground to choose from, he was dumbfounded for choice :)

Lots of people were there riding their bikes, flying kites and having barbeques and picnics. One thing lacking though was that there was no swimming allowed as the sea was very deep and many ships and boats were anchored there.

We did not find any bicycle kiosks around, but there was a go-kart kiosk. At S$12/half an hour, it was pretty expensive. But it was great fun.

It was for ages 5 and up, so Kyle had to sit on Ayah.

We took a rest as well as late lunch at MacDonald's situated at the entrance before heading home.

I will definitely bring the kids to West Coast Park again. But this time with Kyle's bicycle/motorbike. The go-kart was just too expensive.

Gong Xi Gong Xi

Bliss. 4 days of holiday. It's a great way to usher in the year of the Rat.

I just wanted to sleep and vegetate in front of the TV these 4 days. But of course dat is just a dream. Especially when you are a mum of two.

Anyway, Kyle brought back a CNY card from school. He did it all by himself, with help from his teachers, of coz :)

The front cover

Inside view

Thanks baby :)

On the 1st day of CNY, we visited my SIL's family at Hougang. That's Regina's brother's place and he stays there with his family as well as their mum. Rae's Puopuo is 72 this year, and is still very strong. She sells vegetables and has no intention of retiring and letting her children support her. When we arrived there, a feast of KFC awaited us. Thanks for the ordering KFC, since we were unable to consume any of their home-cooked food anyway. My kids were quite lucky as they collected quite a handsome amount of hongbao! And we were only at one house! And to think that we don't celebrate CNY also :) Sorry no pics cos silly me left the camera at home.

On the 2nd day of CNY, me, hubby and Kyle went to my bestie, Yasmin's house at Pipit Road. She gave birth to a beautiful baby boy a month ago, and since then I have yet to see both mummy and baby. Wot a friend I am :( Sorry babe, hope you understand.

Her son's name is Uwaez Bin Aguss. Unique and meaningful name. A handsome little fella, I was smitten with him. And guess what, he was just as enamoured of me as I was of him! Haha, he kept staring at my face when I carried him.

See? Just look at the way he stares at me. Pleease ignore that 'mentel' boy in the background.

Yasmin still looks great even after just giving birth a month ago. Still glowing radiantly. She told me she followed the confinement rules very strictly. Maybe that's the reason why she looks healthy. Or it could also be the priceless happiness you feel looking at your son every day. I know the feeling babe :)

Congrats sweetie! I am so happy for you. When can I see my Uwaez again..hee miss you and him already.