Addie’s Random Ramblings

Arrival at Changi Airport

We arrived at Changi Airport at about 6am on Friday morning (00h30 SA Time). We had a pleasant flight even though the hostess on our side of the plane was not very friendly and rather abrupt at times. My children made life easy for us, cos they were very well behaved. I think they were too excited to want to nag and moan. We had no hassles on arrival. Immigration went smoothly. Is it my imagination or are immigration officers all over the wholed trained not to smile at anyone??? Once we got all our stopover vouchers and arranged our transfer to the hotel we stepped out of the airport building and got the shock of our lives …. Singapore is hot and humid, extremely hot and humid and at 7am already. What was to happen to us later in the day, was my worry. But thank goodness all busses and all buildings are air conditioned. Arriving at our hotel was not so grand … our room was not ready yet and wouldn’t be for another hour or two. No problem, we’ll just familiarise ourselves with the city … BIG PROBLEM - The whole city was still fast asleep. We later found out the the city doesn’t wake until after 10 am … much to our disappointment. We ended up sitting in the foyer hoping the hour will fly by …
My experience of Singapore :- Its a beautiful city, well organised and very clean, but the people I came into to contact with were not very friendly. I love Changi airport…. Later in the day we went for an early supper and went on a river cruise through the city. The kids loved it although Chloe was scared of the sound from the boat’s engine.
One the second day we did a guided tour to Sentosa island where we visited the Underwater World, Dolphin Lagoon and went on a Cable Car ride over the city … it was a wonderful experience.

Have a peek at the photos we took

Here I am sitting in a hotel room … missing my home, hubby and children. I know - I am suppose to use this opportunity to relax and have some me time. But Cape Town is a holiday destination … I would rather spend time in Cape Town with my family then with a bunch of colleagues …. I already called home three times since I reached my hotel room. DH and the children seem to managing just fine without me

Today was a bit hectic. We headed straight for the conference centre from the airport. Nothing wrong with that, but after a two hour flight (not the smoothes …. with all the turbulances) I would have prefered a half an hour “refresh yourself” break. No, I was not so lucky.

I am part of the newly formed committee that was tasked with assisting the company to make “innovation” a core competence”. Shall I call this team the Innovation Committee or should I call them (us) the Innovation Team? Well, this is our first meeting/workshop and its to last till Friday. By Friday we should have come up with a strategy as to how we are gonna approach this subject of Innovation as a core competence …

At least the weather in Cape Town is wonderful. We had lovely sunny weather today … NO WIND - that’s a bonus for starters. Let’s just hope the weather stays this way.

Good night, guys I hope to get in some good sleep - I think tomorrow is gonna be a loonnggg day!!!!!!!!

I am sitting at the George Airport waiting to board the 15h15 flight to Johannesburg or is OR Tambo International airport. I wonder if my flight will be delayed again today….?  I have my fingers and toes crossed, hoping and silently praying that my flight is not delayed. Even though the conference and the whole experience was great, my mind is already in gear to go home. It is very hot and humid outside but I am having a cappuccino … because I feel for one.

The conference was all about technology and the library – for those of you who don’t know, I am a librarian by profession. The delegates at the conference made for interesting conversation, fun and laughter … yes, librarians do have a sense of humour!!! Last night I had a good laugh at the usually “well-behaved” librarians or as we are now called “Information Specialist”. We had a live band at dinner last night and even though the dinner hall did not have a dance floor, there was some ladies and gentleman who made the most of the band’s presence - all will I say is that the lady you usuaslly find at the enquiry desk at your library will not necessarily fit the same picture I had last night and that the band was impressed at the attention they got. 

What I enjoyed most of my time away from home was the following:-

1. Three meals a day … which I didn’t have to prepare;
2. Bath time without rushing or being needed somewhere else;
3. The view from my hotel room;
4. QUIET TIME … enough quiet time

But it is always good to be going home. … I have now being joined by two delegates who are on the same flight as mine … will chat again later!

Yes, why did I ever agree to attend this conference …. what a disaster. I got up at 4h30 this morning cos I was booked on the 7h20 flight. First sign of disaster - my flight was delayed by two hours … one person sighted weather conditions and another technical problems. But whatever!!! The fact remains I have two hours to spend at this cold and windy airport. I bought myself some coffee and read the complimentary newspaper I got at the gate. Ten minutes before 8h30 there is another announcement made … Flight SA 1501 to George has been delayed for another HOUR …. can you believe this. An hour later its delayed for another 20 minutes - at the end I only boarded my 7h20 flight at 10h00. I was convinced this was the beginning of worse things to come - well, it wasn’t all that bad. I did have one “surprise” at take-off. Our pilot was a WOMAN!!!! Not that I have anything against woman drivers pilots …. but this was a first for me. And after all those delays I didn’t know what to think … nevertheless I had a good flight and we arrived safely.  Irrespective of all the hassles we had this morning I trust it will be a good three days. I checked out the programme - it does like there will be enough “me” time after the last session and dinner.  In the meantime here is a picture I took from my room’s balcony ….

 I am off to sleep now and I am excited about the idea. This has been a long day … and I have the ocean to lull me to sleep tonight.

    No no no, its not my mind I am losing, but I am losing my personal battle against the bulge!!!! Yes, to me this is a disaster even though I only have myself to blame! I went to Weigh Less yesterday after having AWOL’d for two weeks and now I have to face the consequenses - I have gained two, yes, 2 kilos UGH!!!! I have this scream inside of me that is actually hurting! I feel like crying! I have worked so hard. But what do you expect??? … Let me count the ways … 1) Camping + Big Breakfasts + Potjie + Braai (barbeque) = WEIGHT GAIN. 2.) New canteen at the office + right next to my office + good food = WEIGHT GAIN. I seemed to have figured out where the extra 2 kilos come from. Well, the damage is done and its already the weekend. I will take charge of my Weigh Less program again NEXT WEEK. Always good to start on a Monday, don’t you agree??

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    Just when I managed to convince my son that it is a good thing to represent your school in a sports event, they cancel his relay race … just great!!!! Now my son wants to know from me what he did wrong? I phoned his teacher to get some clarity on the issue and she tells me that all the Grade 0s will no longer be participating in the event because it clashes with a field trip they had arranged a while back. This sports event is on the same day as the field trip. All the Grade 0s are taking a field trip to the local police station in our area - now I start all over again -  I am trying to explain to Caleb why they have to go there and what they will learn from this trip … Gwhiz!!! a mom’s job is also never done.

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    If there is something that is very constant in sunny South Africa then it is change. Yes, yesterday it was announced that the name of our airport is gonna change AGAIN!!! This is the third time in my lifetime that the airport’s name has changed. First it was Jan Smuts Airport, then they changed it to Johannesburg International and now it will known as OR Tambo International … do we really need to spend all this money and inconvenience international tourists, travel companies not too mention all the publications that will have to be amended to accomodated the new name … be that is it may … our airport has a new name.

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    Thank goodness, its spring day today … YIPPEEE!!!! and its the weekend too. Happy Spring Day and have a lovely weekend