Seven lessons I’ve learnt over the span of the past few days:

1. Seletar airport exists. Wikipedia isn’t kidding when they tell you:
There are two check-in counters, an outdoor car park, three sets of credit-card telephone, lavatory for the handicapped, soft-drink vending machine, drinking-water tap, outdoor covered waiting seats, passenger service and VIP lounge, taxi stall, etc. Food is available from a canteen, opposite West Camp Road.
Source.

Daddy got worried when he was sending me there (“You sure this is the place? Worse than Myanmar’s airport!”) Appreciate the budget terminal at Changi folks cause I was left stranded in the “VIP lounge” which is as lounge-y as the waiting area of a polyclinic when the counters couldn’t confirm my flight cause of the haze, with no wifi, food and a toilet I refused to use.

2. Berjaya air.. isn’t that bad. Maybe cause everyone was telling me not to expect too much. In the words of Simin, “the plane has propellers!”
And yes, the plane has propellers.

3. I can be 25 and flying alone and all that but I’m always going to be Daddy’s girl. Daddy dropped me off, then called to say “Girl, I think let’s have lunch first. Your sad airport has no food right?” and after my “BUT they can’t confirm if my flight is cancelled or not!!”, he told me to call him when I land – something he hasn’t done in a very long time, even when I was living through all the Red Shirts’ hoohaa in Bangkok. Then I landed and forgot to call, Daddy texted to ask if I’m alright : )

4. I’m amazed at the beach stuff I could find at home to bring along, considering I’m totally not a sun and sea person. Four sets of bikinis, two pairs of shades, sun dresses, SPF130, beach hat and after-sun masks!

5. But it turned out that fatbear had more of a beach time than me.

And I was super excited about wearing the beach hat that I was prepared to risk two years’ worth of sun damage for it. Anyway as it turned out, the closest I got to the beach was seeing it from the comforts of the coffee house and I did go to the pool… but it was late in the night hurhur!

6. I have awesome people around me Apparently, everyone couldn’t imagine me enjoying all that sun but we had a good girly time getting excited about it. (“flora lim! i know you, don’t bring your chanel!” “no heels! where are you going to wear them to?” “i have a beach bag i could lend but i think you’re not tall enough for it!”)

7. I have a lot to be thankful for, super rings, black forest chocs, national geographic, tom & jerry, ganges river and talking plants especially. I guess what amazes me most from this weekend is how things can be so easy – I could have gotten upset about having to make my own way from the airport to the resort or how I was left alone with fatbear for some parts of the trip. And thinking back, there were many things I did that could trigger an argument. I used up all the hot water when I showered, I didn’t get my own food at dinner, I refused to be the one getting out of bed to turn off the lights at bed time and the aircon was always too cold for me. But we never once thought of finding fault with each other. Honestly, I’ve really never been happier.

Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that’s just fabulous.

- Carrie Bradshaw.

And I think I’m done with the search <3

P.S. I’m told I’m gentle!

I’ve been having my own eat.pray.love moments of sorts for the past few days. I suppose that’s what being at a beach resort is supposed to do to you? Maybe it’s the sea breeze and all. I’ve been chomping on chips and m&ms (god bless my arteries), enjoying my me-time when I’m alone and feeling incredibly loved when I’m not.

There’s no actual praying by the way. I just think a lot – about the past, how things have shaped up for me and how life works in strange ways. G quoted “never regret anything because at one point it was exactly what you wanted” last night and ain’t it true? Anyway, like I always believe, everything happens for a reason and as thankful as I am for life’s learning lessons, I hope life continues staying this way for me.

And you can take Flora out of the city but you can’t take the city out of me I guess. A typical beach holiday is quite wasted on me cause I’ve no interest in snorkeling or lounging by the pool or feeding the fishes etc. I’m happiest doing absolutely nothing in the comforts of my room and honestly, I think I’ve had the best retreat ever.

love.

My flight was almost canceled on Friday cause of the haze but I’ve arrived, safe, sound and happy.

And I’ve been told I look cute in my glasses <3

Life’s been good for the past 48 hours. I hope it continues staying this good!