Separation Anxiety Schmiety.

Haha! So much for the sound sleep I was imagining I'd have last night. Yesterday, my son's bed was delivered, and he was so excited about it that he didn't even ask to be cuddled to sleep. To my astonishment, he didn't even want me to get on his new bed! Yup, Roo is almost four, and all this time since he was about six months old, we've been co-sleeping. And yes, that's the reason why I haven't slept well all these years too! I am not much of a sleeper, as many of you already know, and having a growing boy cuddle next to me night after night, aggravates the problem. I just cannot sleep when someone's cuddling with me. I always have to wait till he's fast asleep then I detach myself from him. And if not cuddle, it's kicking that I get. Not intentionally of course, but still that's enough to wake me up and bring me back to square one on the sleeping process. How I wish I was like his dad who can sleep through all his cuddling, kicking, and whatever else!

So when Roo agreed to finally have his own bed, and sleep in his own bed, you bet I rejoiced! Suddenly there was light at the end of the tunnel for me. I might just get to re-experience what it's like to sleep soundly again. To be able to sleep through the night without a tiny hand tugging at my pajamas, or fumbling for my arms. Or be awakened by a kick in the face as the little creature beside me changes position as he revels in his dreams.

Nah-uh. Why?

Because...when my exhausted little Roo finally got sleepy, he asked his daddy to cuddle with him instead! That's when the sensitive, sentimental part of the mommy gave in. Suddenly, I had this overwhelming sense of sadness. Kind of similar to how I felt when I weaned him and stopped breastfeeding. Oh I wasn't prepared to be un-needed like that! I think when God created me the mommy, he inserted that emotional liking to being needed as part of my mommy survival kit. And now, my baby who started out as a blob physically attached to me, who used to be so helpless without me, suddenly could exist without me! It's like my heart went for a walk, and I'm not sure if it's ever coming back! Whoah! Now I have an idea how I'd feel when my son leaves home for college! I'm going to an emotional wreck! Help!

Sigh. One step at a time, dear. Got to get myself ready for the first day of school first. Oh wait, sorry. Got to get myself used to him sleeping in his own bed first. Almost forgot about that. You see, he woke up in the middle of the night, and found his way back in my arms. Who talked about losing so much sleep? Nah, not me. Not anymore! Call me sentimental. Call me a freak. But I'm a mommy. I'd gladly lose more sleep for now, just so I can have a few more nights to cuddle. Because for all I know, when the moment's gone, it's gone. When he discovers nights without sleeping beside mommy not that bad after all, I might never be able to coax him to come back and tug at me. Even for just one more cuddle.

With the Dolphins

We made it to the Dolphin Lagoon ten minutes before the show was scheduled to begin. The tickets cost $22.90/person, and includes admission to the Underwater World. The lagoon was quiet, although most of the front seats were already occupied. We walked over to the last few remaining front seats towards the left side of the shaded area, and got all settled in.

Bubbling with excitement, Roo could hardly wait to see the dolphins. Mommy, when will the dolphins come? This he asked every two seconds. In between, he fired question after question about dolphins, where they'll be swimming from, what they eat, etc, etc. Pretty soon, the loudspeaker blared with music. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, the show will begin in five minutes!

The dolphins were introduced and the show host provided a narrative of information about them. The audience was also informed of ways they can help preserve the environment to help save the lives of the dolphins. Throughout the show, the dolphins performed and regaled the audience with their natural behaviours, i.e. singing, jumping out of the water, tail-flapping, showing how fast they can swim, etc. Although I've seen dolphin shows where the dolphins did more tricks, there was something about the Sentosa version that was charming and endearing in its way. Perhaps it had to do with the more natural environment where the dolphins were located, and also because of the way Sentosa made me more aware of what I can do to lengthen and preserve the lives of these mammals.

Right from the start, Roo kept asking if he could ride them dolphins. He wanted so badly to get near them. So when the host announced that you can get a chance to touch the dolphins for $15/two people, my little boy lost no time in coaxing me to go buy him that opportunity. We joined the crowd at one side of the lagoon, and waited for our turn to touch Splash, the pink dolphin.

There were a few rules to abide by: Disinfect your hands with the bacterial sanitizer. Don't hang your shades or hat, wear them. Don't get too close to the dolphin. Pat or touch only the designated part of the dolphin, don't touch the head.

It was too short a visit with Splash, but I think Roo and I will always remember that moment! Splash stayed very still as we patted his back, and he bopped his head in and out of the water the whole time. It was an exhilarating experience to get that close to an animal that I've always been fascinated with! That was a very special time for me and with my little boy!

Day Two

Bright and early the next morning, we trooped down to the breakfast hall to fuel up. A waiter greeted us and asked us what we would like to eat: bacon or chicken sausages? And how do you want your eggs?

At the buffet table, they had some fried rice, salad, and a variety of fresh fruits. Bread, healthy and otherwise, were laid out next to the toaster. Cold and hot drinks were available at the self-service station. This, was to be our fare for the next five days. Every single day of our stay. No change of menu. In Thai, they'd say, same-same.

At the Imbiah Station, Sentosa monorail staff called out a hearty hello as we approached the platform. When the train arrived, they waved hellos to the passengers, and assisted in the getting on and off the train. We got off at the Beach Station and waited for the beach tram that would take us to the dolphin lagoon. While waiting, I bought tickets for the Songs of the Sea show, which Roo insisted we watch that very evening. Ten Sg dollars each. Rain or shine, the show will go on, I was informed.

Still on Day One.

I've always loved the drive to and from Changi Airport. Towering trees spreading their branches out line the highways, and everything just looks so green! The taxi ride was pleasant--especially that we chanced upon a Maxicab instead of the usual old and vintage Singapore taxis. While the daddy photographer clicked photos away, Roo and I settled in to enjoy the scenery.

It wasn't long before we reached the gate to Sentosa. Here we were greeted by a whole harbourfront of construction works. Uh-oh. This is what the hotel reviews were talking about. We soon found out that this massive work under construction is to become Resort World come 2010. Singapore is going to become a casino haven.

And the taxi stopped right behind all that action. Just like how they described it on their website, yup, Treasure Resort Sentosa is in the middle of it all. The Merlion stands tall right across the hotel and the monorail's Imbiah Station was but a stone's throw away from us. One hotel staff came to assist us with our baggage. And she stepped right behind the counter after she was done with our bags--yes, she was the receptionist too. Talk about cutting costs!

The room was small--tiny in fact, compared to all the other hotel rooms we've stayed at. But it was clean. Very clean, I should say, if you take into account all the construction going on beside and behind the hotel. And because Roo and I are so used to all the renovation and remodeling sounds that occur everyday in our condominium, the construction sounds from outside the hotel building was tolerable--our systems just automatically tuned them out because they sounded so much like home. He he he.

After a longish snooze, we ventured out--rode the monorail to the Beach Station to find food. The hotel gave us free passes to the island's trams, buses, and monorail. We discovered Palawan beach, and the food court there. The beach looked like any other beach, but for some reason, it didn't feel like a beach. Up to this day, I still can't point my finger on it, why that beach didn't hold any attraction for me. At all.

Day 1 - Arrival

My heart raced with the familiar jitters as we lined up at the immigration . There's just something about the "immigration" that unsettles me. Having to face the immigration officer in Singapore made it even worse. The first time I came here about eight or nine years ago, I experienced first hand the racial discrimination in this country. The officer took one glance at my passport then asked me how much money I had on me. Demanded that I produce evidence to show her that I had enough funds to finance my visit. Then she asked me how long I planned to stay, and when I answered, "Three days," she stamped a 3-day visa on my passport. Not exactly a friendly welcome to their country.

This time around, there was no interrogation. The officer was still the unsmiling kind, but she didn't ask any questions. Just quietly stamped our passports then handed them to us without saying a single word. Heaving a sigh of relief, we marched on to the baggage claim and waited for our luggage. We didn't have to wait long.

As we walked out to find the taxi stand, we noticed right away how quiet the airport was compared to Suvarnaphumi. It had the feel of a small-town airport, kind of like how it was in Bali, but with much more modern facilities. I exchanged smiles with MY man. Again, this was exactly how we wanted our vacation to be: quiet and restful. God is sure spoiling us--He knows exactly what we need and when we need it. I just love the way He surprises us! Not our first time in Singapore, but it sure felt like it :D

Is the Best!

Roo received VIP treatment on the plane. He got to board the plane first. Along with first-class and business class passengers. Then he had a special welcome onboard. The stewardess walked up to his seat, said hello and asked him his name. After the hearty greeting came the treat: game boards!

His food was served right after the plane took off. Which was timely because he was starving! His food tray was loaded with all kinds of treat too! Besides the yummy pasta and fresh bun, there was a special kiddy fruit juice, chocolate and candy bars (which the mommy discreetly packed away in her bag), and scrumptious dessert (chocolate cake which mommy and daddy shared :D) Plus ice cream!!!

On top of all these, he had his own in-flight entertainment. He had a hard time choosing what to watch. Thomas the Train or Happy Feet? The plane ride from Singapore was too short for both.

So I'm not surprised that when asked which airlines he likes best now, he immediately quipped, "Singapore Airlines!"

Almost Home

Six days away from the hustle and bustle of city life was bliss. And torture. The part of it without internet access was torture. Had so many stories to tell but internet at the hotel was so expensive that it totally blocked me off the writing mode.

We're at Changi Airport now...waiting for the gate to open. Quiet here. One nice thing about Singapore, you can hear yourself think. Sentosa Island, where we stayed, is going through a lot of construction right now but compared to Bangkok, it was still serene. I praise God for the wonderful way He orchestrated our Sentosa trip! As always, His providence saw us through the planning of the whole trip. We had exactly the vacation we needed!

'Twas the best of times...happy memories stored in our family bank, we can hardly wait to get home!