A girlfriend suggested a sparty the other day, I thought it was exactly what I needed, the perfect way to pamper my tired body.

It was great to have my mum around to help babysit Mal while I indulged myself in a few hours of total ME time. Paraffin wax, 90 minutes of body massage, followed by yummy snacks and catching up with friends. There were lots to celebrate. A new mum, another new baby and a warm welcome for my return.

Spartys, a fusion of SPA and PARTY by Lush Spa, is the ultimate combination of good friends, spa treats, delightful nibbles & refreshing cocktails.

Nestled in the lush greenery at Singapore Polo Club, this idyllic retreat is a chic way to destress, get together with friends, enjoy light snacks and cocktails while relaxing in their comfy outdoor sofa, overlooking the swimming pool, occasionally catching a glimpse of  a game of polo.

It was my first time, enjoying spa in such a setting, away from the bustling city. I thought it was a  refreshing change from the usual spa in big shopping malls and air conditioned enclosed space.

I love the idyllic location and I love the outdoor feel and I was quick to sign up for their Lush Spa pass which cost me $65 and allows me to enjoy their future services at discounted prices.

I probably shouldn’t have since I only have a few more months before the baby pops and the pass is only valid for 6 months. But I justified to myself that, hey look, being pregnant was perhaps the reason why I should treat myself even better. In any case, the pass is transferrable, and I can pass it on to anyone if I decided to change my mind.

I have been so busy lately that it isn’t funny and I joked to my friends the other day that I almost forgotten that I AM PREGNANT!

It has been more then 2 weeks since our return and I am glad that the 2 most crucial items in my checklist have been checked. I have just collected my keys to my new place this week and there are now more than 60 boxes sitting around the house waiting to be unpacked! I am so glad that I managed to find a car which literally gives me ‘legs’ to run errands more efficiently. I guess being pregnant and lugging a 5 year old give me reason for being so pampered.

Looking for a used car is by far the most challenging experience. I love to drive but I must admit that I am no way an expert when it comes to test driving a car.

I can’t tell the difference between a normal brake and a worn one.
I can’t tell the difference between a gear box that is working well and one that is near its life.

I never realised that one can make an old tyre looked new merely by polishing it but now I know better than to judge a tyre by its shiny look.
I learned that clocking 20,000km in mileage per year is an average but NOT a norm that I should accept.
I learned that when a car ‘drift’ when the steering wheel is released, it is more than just an uneven road like what the car salesman claims. TRUST YOUR FEEL !

And the first thing to check when you open the car bonnet is not how FLAWLESS the engine looks, because ALL car dealers have an incredible way to make the oldest engine look new. ALWAYS look out for the bright sticker on the front metal piece !

There was one day when I rushed from east to the west side of the island during peak hours for what I thought was the best deal in town, just to be shown a car with a missing sticker! Reason, the car might have been in a bad accident and the engine has been totally changed.

It is a pity that the used car industry in Singapore does not have a system like the Kelley Blue Book in the US where all used car are being valuated and important background information that may unearth hidden problems in a vehicle that may affect its safety and resale value can be found. We are very much left with our own experience and trustworthiness of the salesman’s words when it comes to buying a used car.

Believe me, I have nothing against car salesmen, but dealing with them just makes me feel like a daggling piece of meat, in front a pack of hyenas. I felt so vulnerable and I hate this feeling.

I hate it even more when I was given the ‘ARE YOU SURE ?’ look whenever I ask to test drive a car. Maybe a woman, a pregnant one, lugging a 5 year old has a big label on her head that says ‘ACCIDENT PRONE’.

I am so glad that the car search ordeal is finally over and I can now concentrate on unpacking boxes and searching for new furnitures for our new place.

Malcolm has not been behaving lately
He does the things he knew he shouldn’t
He stomps his feet when he is not happy
He bargains when it comes to doing his daily routine
He throws tantrum at the slightest things that doesn’t go his way

Since our return, we have been staying at my parents’ place and I realised that sometime having more people around brings out the bad guy in him.

‘As a kid, you listen cos adults know best, whatever we say, you obey’
are rules that we do not abide in our household

He is used to talking to us like a little adult. Obedience is not something we enforced.
Many times, our method of discipline is through talking.
and he is ready to talk back to anyone who ask him to do things he does not agree or understand.
It is now a challenge to teach him to question without being rude and without being disrespectful.

Other than the new environment, I am also guilty of neglecting my little boy recently.

Since our return, I have been running around everyday, doing things that are totally boring and uninteresting to him. I would be either be out looking for a car, talking to a property agent or going for my checkup.

I have learned from my few years of experience as a first time mum that my neligence or lack of attention is the best reason and explanation for my boy’s behaviour.

So yesterday, I decided to put a hold to my to-do list and give my boy my 101% attention.

We ended up doing these instead …

we had our favourite hotcakes breakfast

we built awesome sand castle

we rented bikes and cycled

we went far far out so that the ships were bigger and closer

We were out the whole day, doing his favourite things

And I was reminded once again the things that are truly precious.

So we have finally arrived home at sunny Singapore and the first thing that greeted us when we stepped foot into the carpark was the HEAT! but I am absolutely loving it. The heat, the sweat and the breeze. I missed sweating without having to work my heart out.

I sweat when I sit down for my bowl of bak chok mee during late afternoon lunch, I sweat while queueing up for my bowl of wantan mee under the evening stars. It’s crazy but this is home and I missed it.

For the past week, apart from trying to recover from the jet lag, we have been running around the island like busy ants. We slept at 5 in the morning and woke up at 2 in the afternoon. Our body clock was completely screwed. It was insane.

The flight from Paris to Singapore was a breeze. I truly enjoy travelling with my little companion. He is such a cool, avid and season traveller. Being an aviation fanatic is probably the reason for his enthusiasm.
He chatted none stop at the boarding lounge.
He was eager to carry his own backpack all the way, while telling me in a serious voice
‘I will carry my own bag since you have a baby inside.
I don’t want you to get too tired’
Awww. He is my sweetest boy.

On board the plane, he ate, he slept, he played game, he took pictures. He was far more excited about boarding his Boeing 777 than missing Daddy.

It was only during the first night in Singapore that reality sets in, that he will not be seeing my husband for a while. He knew that it is going to be 1 month. He knew that it is going to be 4 weeks. He understands that the longest that my husband has been away for the past 1 year has only been 1 week and he is finally feeling the separation and he told me in his sad voice,
‘I am not happy’
‘I want to go back to Paris’
‘I miss Daddy’
and after talking to my husband over the phone, they came up with a solution.

He had this placed next to his bed, hoping that it will help him sleeps better.
It was a little surprise from Daddy.
The first thing that greeted us when we arrived home.