“Hey you! Yes you lurking there! Its National de-lurking week. That means you MUST post a message and say hi! :) “
Saturday, I wanted to show cartcart the science center . Being the science and maths enthusiast that he was, I was sure that he’d enjoy it. We strolled to Jurong East, had a late lunch at my favourite Vegetarian stall. we marvelled at how closely it tasted like actual meat.
Then we stopped by a local supermarket where Cart had the time of his life comparing as well as learning about local foodstuff.
He poured over the curry spices, the dried herbs, the noodles, basically things that Singaporeans use to cook on a day to day basis.
He was most excited
Cartcart even quipped that he found this experience as enjoyable as our trip to the underwater world.
Look! A genuine Italian brand!
We took our time and when we finally reached the Science Center, I looked quizzedly at the ticket booth which had no one manning it. Then I realised that we went there 5 minutes too late to last entry! Even shows at the Omnimax theater till 9pm were fully sold out.
That’ll teach me to be so ill prepared. We walked out dejectedly past children who were laughing happily in the water pool which was side by side to the pathway.
But the day was still young! We were at Jurong East! I hang out here a lot. And what better way to spend it by watching a movie together with your partner :)
The show that I was interested in watching was Night at the Museum, but it started much too late and the only show that was remotely watchable was Charlottes Web . I guess that would have to do. *chuckles*
The movie was pretty okay. Even with the many many changes from the original book, I think I got teary eyed when Charlotte died.
Its a good thing that the arm rests in the movie theater were movable and we were able to cuddle :)
—
On our bus journey back, we passed by Pasta Fresca and after hearing its jingle being played regularly on 938 live, I thought it would be nice to have dinner there.
A slightly bitter, fizzy drink that is well known in Italy
The decor looked nice enough. Cartcart mentioned at how authentic the place was decorated and even noticed that the type of fabric the curtains made were the actual type of fabric used in Italy.
Cartcart ordered arrabbiata, just to compare how it tastes to the pasta we had yesterday.
So cartcart, how much does this one rate?
5
Wow, a whole point compared to yesterday :P
Yes, now I can safely say that this is the best pasta I’ve eaten in Singapore :P
—
Heaps of cars lining up next to the mosque
Sunday, Hari Raya Haji.
Mum had just completed sewing Cartcart’s baju kurong the day before. She seemed unconfident that the outfit would fit him well because of some of the pertinent additional measurements that I didnt take.
But when Cartcart put it on, it fitted him perfectly. When he came out to show me, I was floored at how stunningly handsome he looked in the green baju kurong. (So handsome that I forgot to take a picture of him wearing it)
My Mum and dad gave him generous compliments at how good he looked. Cartcart was putting on the capal, the Malay sandals that we bought during our trip to geylang. He really looked so elegant. Mum thought that if he worn the samping (waist cloth) and songkok (hat) it would be more complete.
But cartcart seemed to be doubtful. “Its long sleeves!” He whispered to me. “I might perspire badly in this“
However, during the entire journey to my grandmother’s house, cartcart didnt break a sweat due to the cooler December weather and the air conditioned train coach.
When we reached the doorstep, in my mind, I was wondering and hoping that everything would go alright.
My aunts were there and the first to greet us, then my uncles, and then my cousins. We talked, and then had lunch together and just chilled. I see one of my cousin, Eusoff, deep in conversation with cartcart while the rest of the clan seemed transfixed in a Malay soap opera that was premiering.
It was pretty relaxing.
But I got nervous again when grandmother came out of the room, gave that slow and knowing smile of hers and asked me that question that grandmothers always asks.
So when are you going to get married?
Uh … Um …
When you go out with him, dont hold his hands.
Oh …
But all in all, everything seemed okay. My worries about a drama happening was for naught. I feel quite relieved that everyone seemed pretty cool with it.
—
The same evening, we had new years eve dinner together at the community center. Mum suggested that cart and I go to have a local national feel. But I think it was kind of a bad idea.
The entire concert was like a hungry ghost festival concert with music blaring at a million decibels and the singers wearing clothes that is so shiny that it will leave you momentarily blind. It was pure torture. I couldn’t wait to get out of there. But cartcart had the patience of a saint and thought it would be better to wait till the dinner course ended.
By then it was too late to take public transportation. I asked cartcart if he was game enough to ride on the scooter with me. He was! And he managed to squeeze in one of my helmets and off we went and we managed to reach the bed and breakfast in time to see the fireworks from the new year countdown from the city skyline.
—
Monday, New Year’s day
Today is the last day that cartcart will be staying here. I really think that a week just enough to spend here … I havent shown him everything that I wanted to show him …
Juli was free to have lunch with us today. Cartcart and I took the scooter to vivo city, where the parking area was so large, that it was so easy to get lost in there.
We went to a cafe which I thought it would be good, but turned out that the food there was below par.
Coffee with a piece of pen?
I wasnt enjoying my fig and apricot sandwich. I have no idea what cartcart was eating. And Juli wasnt thrilled with her fish dish either.
But it was a pretty casual affair, the three of us talking together. There is few things as satisfying as talking to friends
After we said our goodbyes to Juli, we had to rush to Chinatown to buy presents and souvenirs for his family. We only had about less than two hours before needing to reach back to my place to say his goodbyes to my family.
Cartcart bought a mask for his sister, and a lovely chinese tea pot set for his mom and dad. We reached the temple again. And this time, Cartcart decided to enter and see the interior of the temple and witness purification a ceremony where the priest was at the altar, washing a large utensil (It was too far for me to see as non hindus were not permitted into the holy area)
When we reached home, mum asked us to have dinner together, “I promised to make you Nasi Lemak!” We sat down together, where our family had our last meal together with cartcart.
As I walked out of the kitchen to clear the plates, I overheard mum talking to cartcart, “She’s a good daughter. I hope you will take care of her. Will you take care of her?” “I hope to do that“
I went deep in my thoughts …
—
At the airport terminal, even with mum, sis, aunt and my cousins there, I still couldnt control my sadness and the tears began to roll down. One week just isnt enough. “Why cant I spend all days with you?” I looked in cartcart’s face as he gave me a hug before reluctantly leaving for his flight.
Sometimes I feel like this is all a dream. That we are all asleep and then we wake up to our reality.
In all honestly I dont know how long I can take this. Such happiness when we are together, and then heartbreak when having to part.
Why cant I spend all my days with him? That would be such a beautiful. He is kind, gentle, romantic, patient, wise and the sweetest person I want to spend the rest of my days with you …
My brother, Nazry, took riding lessons and had recently passed and attained his licence. Today, he asks if I could borrow my scooter. I agreed, only if I accompanied him.
