I was on leave last Wednesday though my flight was in the evening. The usual string of events ran like this: pack, watch teevee, surf, pack more, surf, watch teevee, eat, pack. That is why I needed the entire day to pack. The laney took me to the airport where we ate Popeye’s chicken. Cajun fries are the bomb! Why are there so little Popeye’s in Singapore? There was no aisle seat because it was a connecting flight even though we checked in two and a half hours before the flight. What a bummer. Rushed to the gate because at 1900 hours, the ‘Last Call’ sign blinked on the big board at the departure area. What a bunch of kiasu typical Singapore idea. Idiots. Of course it was not last call. Had to wait so long for the plane to take off. Liars.

The flight was terrible of course. I detest flying. There were three angmoh brats who were sitting behind me who would not STOP talking through the entire flight even though people were supposed to be sleeping. Makes me wonder why taking away children’s voice box is inhumane. Making people listen to incessant chatter is inhumane.

The plane touched down on Thursday early morning and I passed customs quite smoothly, except the Aussie customs people were a touch grumpy. Perhaps I am always a touch sensitive in any ang moh land, but I always feel that the angmohs are abit rough around the edges when dealing with non angmohs. Dominikki was at the arrival gate to welcome me and whisk me off in her Volvo S40.

We drove to her house and I met Pookie the puppy. He is Dr Jeykll and Mr Hyde and an adorable bundle of doggy fur rolled into one. Then I had a nap because it was still early morning.

Thursday:
+ Bondi Junction for a pedicure, toes painted with Opi’s Cajun Shrimp
+ Shopped at the extremely big shopping centre looking for thermal things and trying not to spend so much money on the first day
+ Exposed to Scanlan & Theodore, went to Aveda, shopped at Kookai, all the lovely lovely shops and brands that Singapore did not have
+ Ate at foodcourt, given a beeper (so American!) when we bought our Phad Thai
+ Bought black dress at Crow’s Nest (?)
+ Met Bri in sharp suit, drove to Belgium Oyster Bar to wait and give up
+ Ate Pancakes on the rocks at Darling Harbour, ate lots of pancakes, pizza, chips, nachos, happy food

I am at home, packing for tonight’s flight to Sydney. I am not a frequent traveller. I prefer taking the bus and train than to sit in a metal container with wings. The process of packing is labourious but fun. I do not travel light.

This time next month I will be in Sydney.

Checklist:
So far I have:
1. Changed my flight tickets. (No thanks to Quantas.)
2. Applied for Visa. Honestly, a visa to go Australia. What will they require next?
3. Planned mentally (not on paper yet) Sydney appropriate outfits. I will have to figure out how to dress for the cold there. Dominikki will school me.