The cool weather’s great for sleeping in. I wanted nothing more than to rent a couple of DVDs, order pizza and chill out at home. Of course it doesn’t work that way. Not when you have kids.
Had taken leave on Tuesday to collect Wen's passport and update Xian's photo in hers. (She’s now 4½ years old and looks nothing like the 3-month-old infant in her passport). We’d planned to take a short drive-in to our neighbouring country for a day, just to “get out” for a bit. Of course that was before I read about Miss ene’s brush with lawlessness. That’s it! I ain’t ever gonna step foot into JB unless we’re en route to somewhere else and even then, will try not to step out of the car. Not safe especially with two kids in tow.
Anyway, both the hub and I had taken time off work so we proceeded to ICA to get the passports. We braved the howling winds, deafening roars of thunder and lightning flashed across the dark skies as we bundled the kids into the car and set off. When I reached the counter I took 2 separate queue numbers – “2587” for collecting Wen’s new passport (112 people ahead of us), and “7237” to update Xian’s photo (26 people ahead of us). I made a mental note to buy the 4D numbers, for the fun of it. If I win, the money goes into their education fund :)
There was a sea of people young and old who were there to apply for passports and other immigration documents. Xian and I joined another queue where she could take instant passport-sized photos. All around us were parents with wailing babies, screeching infants, wobbling toddlers, hyper-active children and other surly family members. After Xian had her pictures taken we moved to the waiting area, found some seats and waited.
And waited.
Xian attempted to watch The Lion King on the TV screens, sans volume. Wen got fidgety and kicked off her squeaky shoes.
And waited. *yawn*
Wen grumpily tried to wriggle free from my grip. I had no choice but to nurse her in public. She quieted down for 5 minutes before she grew impatient again and insisted on running around on the carpeted floors. Barefooted. Meanwhile Xian decided The Lion King wasn’t entertaining enough.
And still we waited. *stretch*
The hub’s rumbling tummy forced him to look for some food. He checked his watch and went outside, in the middle of the pouring rain, to tear off another parking coupon. Goodness knows why he bothered. I didn't think any car park attendant would be foolish enough to carrying an umbrella in this stormy weather to impose fines on errant drivers. But of course, one can never be too sure. Better safe than sorry I guess.
…And we waited some more…
The hub returned with curry puffs the size of Wen’s palm (It was THAT small) and grumbled about how expensive (and tasteless) they were. The kids started clambering up and down the hard plastic seats and disturbed other equally agitated (read: bored) children.
…then we waited…
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
It must have been two hours or so before “2587” flashed on the screen. I literally jumped up, excited that it was FINALLY our turn. I swear I was beginning to have butt cramps from sitting down for so long. Carried Wen on my left hip and ran to the counter. Yes, I ran – with Xian at my heels while the hub slumped into his seat. We were eager to create chaos just for kicks. And to make up for the looooooooooooooong wait.
Once we collected Wen’s biometric passport, we returned to our seats to wait for Xian’s number to be called. About 10 minutes later “7237” buzzed on the board. I handed over the Xian’s passport and new photo and we were told to wait another ½ hour while they processed the updated photograph.
*Groan*. Think the hub was ready to pass out (the curry puff wasn’t enough to quell his hunger).
When we eventually left the building, it was way past lunch time. Thank goodness I’d fed the girls before we left. It was pouring outside and the rain puddles were ankle-deep. The bad weather had washed away our mid-week family outing so we ended up back at our haven@arif where Cartoon Network, Disney Channel and MTV beckoned…
It was only when we watch the evening news that we realised how terrible the floods were:
Singapore on Tuesday was hit by the third highest rainfall recorded in 75 years.
The 24-hour rainfall recorded was 366 mm.
This amount of rainfall recorded in one day exceeds even the average amount of 284 mm recorded for the whole month of December in previous years.
The highest amount of rainfall recorded over 24 hours in Singapore was 512 mm, in 1978.
Wow. Highest rainfall recorded in 75 years.
Thanks goodness we were indoors for most part of the day. It would have been be so horrid to be stuck with the kids outdoors in the thunderstorm. And to think I’d wanted to take them out with me via public transport!
Methinks it’s time to take a refresher course in driving. *Sigh*
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