Shirley Temple in "The Little Princess"

I took a break from writing about Singapore today but I wanted to post something so I thought I'd go way back... This was one of Tara's favorite movies when she was a tot. She knew all the songs and dances. It was one of my favorites as well. :) 
So if you have the time, sit back and enjoy the movie. Just click on the picture below.

The Little Princess

Singapore, Singapore – Part VIII

Finally, Together Again
The hotel lobby was quiet with the exception of a couple of chatty women who had arrived too early to check into their rooms as well. Their exhaustion was evident as one immediately poured herself onto the entire length of the lobby couch. Within seconds, a quiet, petite man from the front desk was at her side and whispered something in her ear. She drug herself up to a sitting position as she barked, “Are you kidding me? We can’t lie down here?” Good thing for my state of pins and needles or I would have had the same conversation with the kind man about 3 hours earlier. As I turned the pages of my book, I tried hard to focus on the words but my mind was continuously on my daughter. ‘I can’t wait to see Tara!; I can’t wait to see Tara’s show!; How are we going to get all of Tara’s things into four suitcases?!; We’ll have to move her out of the condo today; Who will keep her suitcases while we go to Thailand?! I hope I don’t have to go off on anyone well I’m here!; Her employers better be sure she doesn’t have any problems with customs!; Did I pack my boxing gloves for that little stinker that has caused my daughter and everyone else so much trouble since she’s been here?!; Remember to budget – Times are hard!; Oh Lord, I can’t wait to see Tara!; I can’t wait to see her show!!...’

Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted by a loud shrill, “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” I turned to see my beautiful daughter running towards me, overloaded with bags. She was still in her glittering show outfit, extended hair and extended eyelashes. She was radiant! I jumped up to give her a hug and at that moment time stood still. All my previous thoughts and worries were forgotten. We were together again. The decibel level in the lobby increased instantly and became a backdrop for all the animation set before me. Her facial expressions and hand gestures told a story all on their own. Her voice would rise and fall like a rollercoaster and it definitely took you along for the ride. My baby, My Lovey, I’m so proud of you!

At that time, I had no idea how quickly the next twelve days would pass!

Singapore, Singapore – Part VII

Singapore, Singapore, I’ve Finally Arrived!

My heart was racing as I exited the plane at about 2 a.m. Tara’s last show for the night/morning finished at about 5:30 a.m. so I was just about 4 hours away from seeing her. And just knowing that I was standing on the same land that she was standing on without oceans and countries between us was enough for me. I wanted to shout at the top of my lungs, “I’M HERE LOVEY!” but I resisted, knowing she could feel my presence with out all the dramatics. I was beyond giddy walking through the airport corridors and as I looked around, my thoughts became distracted by the floor. Yes, the floor… it was so clean and shiny that you could see your own reflection. At that moment, I was thankful to be wearing pants. Luckily, the majority of the tiles were light in color minimizing the need for worry but still, I was thankful. My attention soon rose from the floor to the bright orange cushioned chairs arranged neatly in the lounge with sleek silver tables strategically placed amongst them. At such an early hour, the lounges were quiet but I can imagine that they were probably close to picture perfect anytime of the day. Another surprise was the live greenery, everywhere. Plants and trees, and orchids, OH MY! I’m talking about an orchid garden that could very well be displayed at the gates of heaven. I hadn’t even made it through customs yet and I was already overwhelmed by Singapore’s beauty.

Getting through the formalities was a breeze, now to catch a cab. I had already asked the customs official what I should expect to pay for cab fees and she had told me that S$20 plus the airport fee was about right. Tara had told me that I should pay no more than S$30 so when the gentlemen approached me and said S$15, I was pleased. He spoke to many of the attendants as we neared the exit and people seemed to know him well, but when we walked through the doors away from the taxis, I got a little nervous. We went down another hall and exited to another parking lot. I felt a little more at ease when we approached the well marked van in a specifically marked space but I still watched his movements closely and made sure I had control of the locks once I was in, call me crazy! The cab driver was a nice enough fella. We talked about his city, my city, and then he mentioned that the rate back to the airport for my departure would be much less expensive due to (Insert Sound Effect: Extended Record Scratch) what??? I’m not sure what he said but I immediately thought there must be a misunderstanding because S$15 was half the rate Tara told me and still significantly less than the other quote. So back up, what was he saying? “Excuse me sir but you quoted me S$15, correct?” Calmly, he said “No, S$50, 5…0.” Flashbacks of New York City, 1984 rushed in as I recalled a shouting match with a taxicab driver that was trying to pull a fast one on me. In that scenario I reached in my bag of tricks and came up with a nasty NY attitude (thanks to my Puerto Rican BFF at the time) that attracted the help of the NYPD. But that would not be useful in this case. I read that Singaporeans avoid confrontation and find public displays of emotion to be humiliating, so I lowered my voice and spoke extra slow, “Sir, I would not have agreed to pay S$50 knowing that the rate should be closer S$20, no more than S$30 for any reason.” My voice was calm but I think he saw in my expression that there was a pressure cooker sitting right behind my smile. He hesitated, and then sadly negotiated a fair rate. I arrived safely at my hotel, he was professional and kind as he carried my bags to the porter, and we thanked one another before saying goodbye. No drama. No police. Just a quick re-negotiation and everyone was… fine. Ten minutes later, full of excitement, I’m calling Tara… “HI LOVEY!! I’m here! OK, but they won’t have my room ready to check in for HOURS. No worries, I know you still have another set but I’ll wait for you here in the lobby. I LOVE YOU MORE!!” I grabbed a cup of tea from the courtesy bar, found a comfy seat in the lobby and for the first time pulled out the book I had planned to read on the plane. As I cracked open the book, I paused, then a huge smile spread across my face and I said to myself, “I’m in frickin Singapore!!!”

Singapore, Singapore – Part VI

My Own Orient Express

It was an early afternoon flight and I wanted to be at the airport earlier than the suggested time. In my family, fashionably late is the norm and often taken to the limits. Just the other day, Tara was telling her cousin the story about a time that she and her grandmother arrived at a wedding as the newlyweds were exiting the church. Shamefully they mixed in with the crowd outside as they claimed, “Oh what a beautiful wedding! Wasn’t it?” Yes, we tend to run on our own special clocks. But this was one of the most important trips of my life. My bags had been packed for two days which is another anomaly. Professionally, it’s my job to be proactive and well prepared. Yet privately, I love the drama of a last minute rush. Before Tara left to Singapore, we were up all night packing and repacking. She wanted to pack all her favorite pieces of course; I reminded her that “show clothes” were the priority. Either way, we’re talking about a lot of everything! It would have been great if her new employers had sent a moving truck over to transfer the required 6 months belongings but instead she’d have to find a way to fit it all into two large suitcases and one small carry on. Miracles do happen! Now it was my turn. I was so excited at the thought of wrapping my arms around my daughter and I didn’t want anything to go wrong. So there I was, saying goodbye to mom, checking in, passing through security and sitting at my gate ultra early awaiting the plane that would carry me to the other side of the world.
Singapore Airlines is one of the most awarded airlines and once you’ve experienced a flight on this lovely aircraft, it’s obvious as to why. Upon boarding the plane the crew was there to greet me and direct me to my assigned aisle seat. After stuffing my blanket and carryon bag of books, sudoku and homemade trail mix under the seat carriage, I held my breath as I lowered myself into the seat hoping my tape measurer didn’t lie. Images of Sheila sadly leaving the plane flew through my mind and I begged, Please, please, please then … “awwwwwww, nice. I think I’m going to be okay.” There was a nice lady sitting next to the window and the seat between us was empty. We both crossed our fingers as the plane filled in hopes that we’d be lucky enough to have the extra space. The crew made their final preparations and announcements and before we knew it we were off! A train of petite airline stewards in brightly colored Asian styled dresses began their glide down the aisles like porcelain dolls. Their friendly smiles seem to be permanently painted on because they never drooped as they passed by each row distributing steamy white cloths. I thought Wow! A mini spa! as I mimicked others that placed the cloth lightly over their face. A slight aroma of eucalyptus filled the air and the warmth calmed the natural buzz within me. Now that’s Relaxation! However, if that didn’t calm your nerves, the next procession of brightly dressed porcelain dolls had another trick up their sleeves. A cart full of beverages from a list that seemed never ending with no additional cost. Coffee? Bailey’s with that? Soda? Bit of Rum? Wine? and of course tea, International or Green? Beverages of all kinds seemed to flow from an endless fountain. Soon everyone found comfort in their cozy space and the small monitors attached to each seat-back were streaming entertainment of various types. With your personal remote you had a choice from 100+ movies, favorite TV shows, music videos, books on tape, children’s games, news, and in case you need to learn a language within the next 24 hours, Berlitz language software was available with a click of a button as well. Delicious meals were served before my stomach had a chance to growl and continued to come throughout the flight. Just in case you forgot your toothpaste and toothbrush, they provided that too with a pair of cuddly socks in a plain little pouch labeled Givenchy. “GIVENCHY”, said the woman sitting next to me, “this will be the only designer item in my closet.” We laughed and I realized I had unnecessarily packed so many things in my bag to keep me comfortable and to pass the time but Singapore Airlines had thought of it all. Then before I knew it, I was in Asia! The plane may not have had ornate carvings, Thai lacquered bars, nor did it travel on rails through adventurous areas but… I did feel like I was flying in luxury. This may be as close to first class that I’ll ever get and I loved it. It was my own little Orient Express.

Singapore, Singapore - Part V

To Spoon or Not to Spoon

About 8 weeks before my departure date I began thinking about the long 23 hour flight ahead of me; sitting in that small seat, the possibility of dehydration, and to be honest… a scene out of Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married”. As the scene goes, Jill Scott’s character, Sheila, was taking her seat on the plane and realized she was a tad bit larger than her seat. A complaint was made by the passenger she was crowding in the next seat and once all was said and done, she was asked to exit the plane. How devastating would that be? I quickly looked up Singapore Airline’s seat width online and ran to my room to find my measuring tape. Oooooh… not good. This was going to be a tight fit and that just won’t do! I knew I was a big woman (a Plus size as we so nicely put it; we make it sound like it’s a plus to be a “Plus”!) but I still had curves that included a waist. That waist was just a whole lot wider than it once was! And the hips… well they had expanded quite a bit as well. My body hasn’t really appreciated my love for food and lack of exercise over the years but up until about three years ago, I had. But things were changing quickly and I worried about my upcoming flight. It was sure to be a very long and uncomfortable flight, and unless the passenger next to me was expecting to spoon with me the whole way to Singapore, I could even be asked to exit the plane. Just like poor Sheila! So with the help of my aunt, I started a workout schedule for Mon, Wed, and Fri. We started walking first, not too far, just to the corner and back which required some encouraging words. Then we quickly pushed it to 1-2 miles which included a stop at Golden Spoon for a mini frozen yogurt. (Awww, come on, it’s 100 calories!) Then it increased to 4-6 miles with no additional reward. We would swim for 45 minutes on the in between days with Sundays off. I increased my water intake and ate smaller meals, eating every few hours. I did not eliminate but I did cut back on fat and sugar. As a sacrifice and prayer reminder to keep my daughter safe, I had sworn off all carbonated drinks from the day my daughter left so I was already a bit healthier from that. As I pressed on, the exercise came easier and the food choices better. Before I knew it, I had lost 20 pounds and was in pretty good shape by the time of my departure date. But it wasn’t until I pulled out my measuring tape that I was truly satisfied. Hips < Seat width! Hallelujah!

Singapore, Singapore – Part IV

Not so Random After All


As the 4th month of Tara’s contract closed in, she had really begun to feel comfortable and was exploring her surrounding areas more. Maybe even a little too much if you consider her sexy video shoot on the streets of the Muslim populated country, Malaysia which enforces a conservative dress code. I was also feeling more relaxed and enjoying the thrill of her experience from afar. So our conversations were less frequent but still regular. I started watching the ticket prices, watching my budget, watching my waistline and planning. We had originally thought we’d go to Bali for 8 days after she completed her contract but due to monsoon season, we decided on Thailand. Phuket, to be specific. Yes, you know… site of the 2004 Tsunami. Why go to beautiful Bali with the chance of thunderous storms when you can go to Thailand and possibly experience a natural disaster? We figured chances were slim for another tsunami and we heard they had recovered well. But more importantly, there was the shopping of course. Great deals in Bangkok! It was a must, Tara’s mind was set! As for me, I was just thinking of the luggage, luggage, luggage!!

My anticipation for the trip grew with each passing week and I started to research Thailand and the many beautiful beaches we could visit. I went to the library and checked out a few books, but the real surprise came to me when I decided to check my own travel book to see if it had anything regarding Singapore and Thailand. So I pulled out my hefty “Journeys of a Lifetime – 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips” book and flipped through the pages… and to my amazement, I was led to the one page I had earmarked way back in January. The Eastern & Oriental Express! REALLY! It runs from Singapore, up through Malaysia, and on to Bangkok, Thailand! The one place I picked from all 393 pages of that book is exactly where I was headed! I was stunned. Is it possible that I could take this train ride? Is it possible that whatever you claim to be yours, is really yours? Is it that easy? Well, let me cut this suspense short. NO! It wasn’t. The departures are limited but that isn’t even the reason. A trip on a luxury train is quite expensive as you can imagine and takes 5 days just the one way. With time and money being tight, it really wasn’t reasonable. Plus, all Tara wanted to do when she finished her contract was to find a sunny beach to lay on so I would have felt very selfish begging her to sit on a train for 5 days after 6 months of an intense schedule. BUT… the fact that I was going to Singapore and traveling on to Thailand was close enough for me. Two places I never thought I would travel to. Yet straight from my wish list, it was about to be a reality.

Singapore, Singapore – Part III

Skype Kept Me Sane


Truly I don’t think I even had time for my head to stop spinning before my daughter was receiving her passport (which was ready with quite an amazing 5 day turn around including the weekend!), winning over her father’s tearful support, signing contracts, packing her bags, re-packing her bags, again re-packing her bags, and saying goodbye to me at the airport. I was terrified and excited at the same time. It was hard to say goodbye without bursting into tears but I wanted to stay strong and leave her with encouragement. Isn’t that what a mother is supposed to do? Suck up all the selfishness and let their children spread their wings? Well, with Tara, her wings just keep expanding and saying goodbye is one thing that does not get easier with practice, I can tell you that. But I stood there very proud. She was off to start a journey she’ll never forget and I wanted her to enjoy every step along the way. Thank the heavens (or Niklas and Janus if you prefer) for SKYPE! Without Skype, in all seriousness, I don’t think I would have gotten through the last 6 months without the word “psycho” sewn atop my breast pocket. My friends would have had to charge me for consultation fees and my family surely would have taken cover in Texas to escape the mood swings. But my daughter arrived safely in Singapore and was able to connect with me via Skype right away. I was able to see her, talk to her and view her new surroundings over the internet. We talked nearly every day for the first 3 months which was much more often than we had when she lived just 40 minutes away in Los Angeles. She introduced me to the other performers whom were also her roommates and her new Singapore family (Imagine Real World Singapore style!!) She kept me updated while her new family went through their ups and downs as all families do. She took me backstage as she prepared for the shows and on occasion she even took me on the stage or in the DJ booth for a VIP seat to the show. She kept me very involved which was a comfort and all possible only with the help of Skype. Sometimes I really felt like I was actually there, just in another room.

In her 3rd month or so, contract negotiations for an extension were complete extending the contract from 4 months to 6 months. Now that we had a firm end date, we began discussing the real possibility of me traveling there towards the end of her stay. We decided I would arrive a few days before her last show. This way in addition to seeing her perform and enjoying some vacation time with her, I could also help her bring all that luggage back home. The plan was for me to travel very light so that I could bring back two suitcases of her belongings on the return trip. We already knew getting everything home was going to be a very big challenge, especially since she had started collecting fashion magazines during her stay. FASHION MAGAZINES?! They have to be the heaviest magazines in circulation!! So knowing my daughter, that’s one suitcase for magazines; one suitcase for shoes; one suitcase for accessories…I’m not sure how this is going to work. Per the airlines, Two suitcases each is the limit!

Singapore, Singapore - Part II

Tara Speaks It Into Existence

Meanwhile, starting with the New Year, my daughter claimed a year of travel and success entering her work of passion. She didn’t really mean for them to come together as a package, she just wanted to a) seriously kick off her music career and b) travel out of the country. Since she was freshly out of work, I had to chuckle at this thought but my daughter is not bothered by those that don’t immediately see her vision. Nor is she easy to dissuade once she sets her mind on something. Yet I couldn’t help being surprised when a few months later she phoned me to say that she was exploring an offer to sing in Singapore for 4 months. WHAT?! Breathe…WHERE?! Breathe….HOW?! Breathe…The questions built up rapidly and they stuck in my throat cutting off my breath, or so it seemed. My world swirled and headlines of human trafficking raced through my mind. This is my only child; my pride and joy! LORD PLEASE! Thankfully, I was able to steady myself and think sensibly. “Okay… you only have a few weeks to decide so you need to research this offer quickly.” Not knowing much about the music industry, I offered my help where I could. I scanned hundreds and hundreds of pages of comments regarding travel to Singapore. I searched for other artist that had traveled there. I looked for scams and security issues. Frankly, I looked for a reason she shouldn’t go. I didn’t sleep; I didn’t even get up from my computer except to refill my coffee cup or to empty my bladder. Then about 18 hours later, sitting in front of my computer I had to admit, this just might be the experience of a lifetime. Though Singapore has a heavy influence of Chinese, Malaysian, and Indonesian cultures, it is an English speaking country. It is said to be the safest and cleanest country in the world. It’s easy to get around and though it’s not inexpensive to live there, some of the cost of living would be covered within the contract. I was able to locate a few artists that had performed there within the last couple years and though their feedback wasn’t full of praises, there were no real dangers mentioned either. I can’t say that I was excited about this opportunity but it was beginning to look like I may have to support the idea. But she doesn’t even have her passport!!

Singapore, Singapore - Part I

Getting back in the groove was tougher than I thought but I'm here now and ready to post a new entry. As it turns out, I have so much to say so I decided to break it into parts so here is Singapore, Singapore - Part I.

It Seemed Like a Random Choice

If you know me or have been following my blog, you know that I recently made a trip to Singapore to see my daughter, Tara King. 18 months ago, if a fortune teller had told me I would be going to Singapore, I would have demanded a refund for a false reading. Never in my wildest dreams had I ever thought I would be jumping on a plane and traveling 24 hours to a country I knew nothing about. However, in January of this year I was scanning through a book that was given to me as a Christmas gift called “Journeys of a Lifetime – 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips.” 500 trips summarized and categorized in sections such as “Across the Water,” “By Road,” “By Rail,” and “On Foot.” As I skimmed the pages I asked myself, which one trip would I want to take most? It should be something very different than anything I’ve experienced before, yet something I’d truly enjoy. Being overweight and out of shape immediately knocked a few categories to the wayside. Cruise ships were too common and Sailing cruises require a much stronger stomach than what I possess so another category skipped. I could be adventurous and choose from the “By Road” section but nothing really caught my eye so I continued quickly flipping through the pages until I found it… the one trip that was worthy of my one wish; The Eastern & Oriental Express. I’m not sure why it captured me the way it did but I had experienced a very memorable trip across the United States from west coast to east coast by train many years ago, which included some passion, drama, mystery and even a star encounter. Yes, memorable it was! I’ve heard about the Orient Express, mostly as a setting in movies or books, but never gave it too much thought. Now here in a one paragraph description of rail cars with walls covered in wooden marquetry veneer, scattered Eastern motifs, bars of Chinese and Thai lacquer surrounded by carvings and engraved mirrors… the mental picture was enchanting. What a beautiful way to travel! The countries and cities mentioned made no difference to me. I didn’t know one from the other. I just knew that the Orient would definitely be something I’ve never experienced before. A diverse group of thrilling images filled my mind as I thought of my previous train ride across the states through thriving cities, the breathtaking mountainsides, to the backwoods and muddy rivers. The train will take you safely through places no car would dare to go and provides a view of wondrous sights easily missed if not for the hours of relaxation spent in front of enlarged picture windows. Oh how exciting it will be… on the other side of the world, a train will take me through cities and jungles!! Yes, one day!