Stopping to smell the...er...?

The past few days, I took time off as promised to spend time with my children.  With Zafran away in Japan, and the fact   that I was not going away on a holiday, I guess it was time to make sure that I did something fruitful.

Monday was a promise that I kept to myself...a little indulgence on my part.
I have been meaning to go to a spa for ages, and I finally took up on Shuhaila's offer.  I should thank my lucky stars that I have an ex-student who actually owned one...and boy, did I get a classy treatment.  So while the kids went bowling with my other half, I spent the time soaking in a jacuzzi followed by a good two hour massage.  I felt like prata dough...kneaded  and flexed and pulled and stretched.  I could feel the pair of strong hands loosening the taut and tensed muscles. I creaked, groaned and rumbled...but there was something comforting about the session.  I literally felt weight lifted off my shoulders.

Tuesday...hmmm...
I had wanted to touch base with another person.....but ... ah well....
Very very very disappointed.

So the plans changed and took Akmal and Iffah down to explore Orchard Rd....something which I have not done for ages.
First stop was Orchard Central...not so much to shop, but experience the escalator ride up.
I ended up being weak in the knees...there is something eerie about ascending up four stories (from level 7 to 11) from glass partitians and looking down at the traffic and buildings below....Even the elevators were glass panelled...so scared myself silly going up and down (ya...ya...plus claustrophobia). It was even worse cos Akmal had a habit of looking over the escalator sides and pointing out excitedly at things...Can pengsan.

Then over at 313 Orchard, Akmal got excited that the upper floors. Why? He has a fetish for carpets...and the floor were covered with them.  I had to make sure that he did not roll over like the does at home.  We walked down to Ion...and I found out that one of my favourite shops, Bobbi Brown was there...hmm...maybe time for a makeover (as if that would work).  And of course, to give the kids a treat, we went to Swenson's Ion...which had an ice-cream buffet...Yes...You read right ICE CREAM BUFFET!...eat all you want...until it oozes out of your eyes and ears.

No lah...I was not that greedy.(though I ate 4 different chocolate flavours at one go).  Not a bad deal...The buffet offered all 50 flavours of ice cream, gelato and sorbet...along with the different toppings....There were cakes and pies offered along with waffles and pancakes...Plus  chocolate and strawberry fountains to make fondue.  I shall not reveal how much I ate...but lets say the money was well-spent by hubby and Akmal who could down the different possible combinations of sundaes.

And today, was another fruitful day.
I took 3 others with me to the zoo...and I must say, it was a truly enjoyable outing.
The long MRT ride itself was an adventure, and so was the bus ride.  But it was great being with people who seemed to be thrilled exploring everything.  Not just the animals, but the plants and the environment too.  Each stop was an adventure; with something new to be discovered.  So thank you Aimee, Evi & Erico....of course Iffah and Akmal. (next adventure coming up pretty soon ok?)

I am glad that I took this time off to be with people I love, and whose company I treasure.
It's true...stop and smell the roses occasionally, and life can become more meaningful.