It is hard to believe it has almost been 9 years since we lived here. Yet I look at my girls and remember they were babies when we were here last and it is not so hard. They are young women now. That is even harder to believe. Time is racing by. I am trying to make the best of every moment with them. Life events in the last few weeks have reminded me life is so short and time together precious.
Girls and I took a different flight then Adam. With all the recent airplane crashes on this side of the world, I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit nervous. We ended up landing an hour ahead of him even though our flights where scheduled 15min apart. With delays and such He landed after us even though he was to get there before us. This meant I had to navigate both Taiwan Taoyuan Airport and Singapore Changi Airport by myself and get us through customs, etc. alone. So glad girls are bigger. I remember how hard these long lines were when they were little.
I had a long list of things to go and do while Adam worked all week. We had hopes he could steal away for some family time. Luckily he was able to spend most evenings with us and all of Friday.
Took the girls back to all my favorites... Holland Village, Anne Lockets- China Collection (where we were stuck in huge thunder storm with Singapore rain), Little India (went in to a Hindu Temple) girls got to see first hand idol worshiping (which sparked a deep conversation), Chinatown (Dinner at the Food Street - So much nicer now), Jaw Stick Factory, Woodlands where we use to live (even had lunch at a Hawker Stand), toured SAS (Singapore American School), The amazing Zoo, and Sentosa Island. We had a wonderful time. For those family members that visited us... Singapore is cooler then Taiwan. That is a scary thought because Singapore is HOT, HOT, HOT!!!
We enjoyed the swimming pool at the Swissotel where we stayed very much. Spent as much time there as we could. Girls made several friends there that they would make dates to come back and swim with through out the week. There was Sunny and her brother from Korea, Aydin from Perth, Australia. There was another boy the last night but I don't remember his name, and a darling three year old from Australia named Annie that loved the girls and wanted them to go home with her. I love that the girls make friends so easily. They truly enjoyed these friends they made and have exchanged emails to keep in touch.
Lacie was a hoot to watch. She had the guys Adam works with in the palm of her hand, including Adam's boss- John. One of Adam's co-workers, BH, had been to our home in Idaho and remember her. She walked hand in hand with him asking about his family and where he was from in Korea. He then asked her questions. They had a very grown up conversation. On the night we all went to dinner to meet Adam's boss and a few others. Both girls where engaging and so mature. It was fun to watch them be amazing. I sat there and watched them and wondered again... When did they grow up and how did I teach them this. They are both skilled at being charming! I think they come by it naturally! By the end of the night Adam's boss, John, was racing down the side walk with them to a sling-shot ride. Totally scary! Never get me on it. When they found out Lacie was too young. (she had to be 12) he promised them he would take them on it before we leave for home in 2 years. It was a good night.
Our favorite time was Sentosa Island. Girls and Adam did the obstacle course (intense!!) that he had done with the guys from work in June for team-building. It was super difficult, but wonderfully challenging. There are 3 levels, the first at 5m high, the second at 10m, and the tallest at 15m. Lacie went first on the 2nd level, followed by Emmie and then Dad. Then when that was over they went to the 3rd level. CRAZY!! Girls did great! They even made some of the grown men (another group there) look bad. I wasn't feeling up to it. I was fighting water retention in my feet and face and still bleeding (had a procedure a few days before). I might have over done it with walking all day in the heat for a week, but the memories are worth it. I stayed on the ground and took the pictures. Then we all did the Zip Line over the Jungle out to an island in the South China Sea. SO COOL! We had our friend along Soo-Hye with us. He is from Malaysia. We met him when we lived here before and he's visited us in the US. Adam has visited him a few times on his travels. He went to Chinatown with us also one of the nights and we treated him to a zip line ride for his birthday. He was terrified and couldn't believe the girls on the obstacle course. He kept telling them to hang on and be careful. When they both flipped upside down on the Zip Line he about lost it. It was so funny! He likes to bring Emmie an apple, Lacie some kiwi and both M&M's. Then delights in their excitement at his gifts. We then only had time to spend a few moments in the ocean and then head back to the hotel. Our flight was leaving in the morning and I had to get us packed. Adam has another week here. Wish we could stay longer but have to get back for school interviews and entrance exams.
Hope you enjoy the slide show. It's the fastest way to show you what we saw.
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