Singapore, sweet Singapore

Our home country Singapore is every bit the bustling city it's always been, and even more built-up now! New attractions have been added and architectural marvels, too, take to the skies in the likes of the Singapore Flyer, Sky Park, and The Pinnacle, just to name a few.

Yet there are also the familiar sights, sounds, and smells...

Some HDB flats proudly display the Singapore flag ahead of the nation's 45th birthday next month. August is also when Singapore will play host to the first-ever Youth Olympic Games.

At the hawker centre, our children got all sweaty even before digging into their fishball noodles. The least alien to them of the smorgasbord of local delights -- that's comfort food to Vern and me. Ooh, everything smells so good, so right! I forget how hot and humid it is, that's Jon's only complaint.

Ben, seeing how domestic helpers care for their young charges, was quick to make the association and quipped that this mom is "My mommy, my maid!". Aiyoh! was what I said to that. This same exclamation Kait has picked up from Gong Gong, my dad who uses it a lot when the children are up to their antics... a lot!

Otherwise, like her brothers, the gal is quite the trooper. And I get to eat with her sitting on me if she will sit still for a bit and eat some, too, instead of try and help herself to her private beverage bar -- in plain sight... aiyoh!

Being out and about in the day helps us with the jet lag. There's so much to see and do, never mind lah Vern has his work with him during this vacation. But more than the places of interest to try and visit, it's our loved ones and friends here I miss most, and what makes homecoming oh so sweet! Only one other time Vern has been back in the six years we've been away, not the children and me until now. There's lots to catch up, more later!