Waiting for the 9 bags to be checked-in
The title of this post is just to prove how “International” I am. (I’m paying homage to those American posers who go to Europe for 10 days and return referring to the elevator as “the Lift”).
-In late December, we planned to return home to the U.S. for the first time since moving to Singapore 9 months ago. Once the plane tickets were booked, I began to fret about the trip. My worries seemed based in reality. After all, we were technically homeless. We rented our house when we moved. The vision of 3 energetic boys and 2 large adults living in hotels and imposing on family and friends for shelter for 3 weeks was beyond my comfort zone. By far the most anxiety provoking piece was how my children would react to being back home in Atlanta and then leaving a few weeks later. I had already been through the homesick struggles when we moved and had no desire to return to them.
-We packed 7 suitcases and got in a Maxi Taxi at 3:30 AM and headed to the airport and embarked on our 23 hour journey. No, we did not walk; Singapore is just really far from home. My children do not mind the trip, they have complete control of the in-flight entertainment system and feel compelled to order soda every time the flight attendants walk up the aisle. Lest we forget their love of the Delta Sky lounge; Comfy chairs, Snacks, more soda and electrical outlets to plug in their I-Pads.
-The parents, well I sleep a lot, enjoyed cheap wine and completed several easy large print crosswords. My husband attempts to sleep but ends up watching countless movies while simultaneously glaring at me while I peacefully snooze next to him.
What we did on vacation:
*Hung out with our closest friends
*Spent time with family
*Ate a ton of pizza and Mexican food (oh how I miss my shrimp tacos)
*Sundays at our church
*Took care of rental house and other necessary business (many days of this)
*I drove a car for the first time in many months
*Both Dwayne and I ended up sick and going to the doctor.
*Made a surprise visit to the boy’s school to see teachers and friends
What we learned going home:
*We are blessed by wonderful people who opened their home to us carte blanche. Their acts of love and kindness will stay with me always.
*Family is great but sometimes people who are not related by blood turn out to be family.
*Unfortunately, people we thought would move heaven and earth to make time for us did not. It’s ok really it is..sniff sniff…but it opens your eyes.
*Appreciation for our church.
*Eating and drinking non-stop for 3 weeks will add inches to your waist.
*Shopping is a necessity. I am not a shopper but I constantly shopped for items to bring back to SG. I also found myself at the grocery store for pleasure. Oh how I miss Publix!
*I missed Singapore and it went beyond the warm weather.
*MY kids are resilient.
-We returned to Singapore with two extra suitcases and my sister Lora in tow for a visit!! (Serious bonus)
-My anxiety about the trip turned out to be unnecessary, as worry often is. We basically stayed at 3 family’s homes while in town. Our friends and family were un-phased with the changes in their routines, messy guest bedrooms, and additional laundry, food and water bills. All of this was taken in stride and returned with loving hospitality. We are fortunate.
My boys visited their school and their old neighborhood. A few tears were shed as we said goodbye.
After marathon plane rides back to Asia, We opened the door to our condo In Singapore. My oldest ran to his bedroom and said “I’m finally home, it was a long flight but it was worth it to get back to Singapore.”The younger two echoed similar sentiments, and ran to their rooms to play the with the Lego bricks which had been discarded for a few weeks. I could hear them planning the next day’s adventures which included playing cricket with their friends and taking their Aunt Lora to the pool.
All was good except for the unpacking.
Passport Parenting, Singapore 