Bemused, moi

I woke up at 11:45 am today. Couldn't sleep until 4:00 am last night. Is that still jet lag? It's been four days.

I rather panicked because I was supposed to go to Johnny and Angela's place in Jurong West for Baby Ariel's dedication, which was to start at 12:00 noon. I live right at the opposite end of this country. Justine agreed to wait for me at Wheelock Place until 1:00 pm.

I couldn't get a cab from the street so I took the bus to Parkway Parade and queued for a cab there. It was long but it moved fast. The cab driver uncle was rather chatty.

The traffic was heavy and he said it was because it was the last day before the GST increase, to 7%. We'd gone on to talk about how unfair the GST is to the masses because income tax cuts don't balance scale for them but tips the scale of the rich.

He asked if I was a student and I said do not be deceived, I am 31. He asked if I am married. I said no. He asked if I am picky. I said yes. He asked if I am educated. I thought for a while and said yes I went to university. He said I should not be picky. Just as long as he is not fat and don't carry diseases. Just as long as he loves me and could make me a happy.

He said he has two sons and two daughters. The girls are both engaged and the sons are not. He said one of his sons is 30 and is in Israel for training because he is in the Singapore air force. Would I be interested to meet him?

Cabby uncle: He is born in the year of the snake. You?
Me: Dragon.
Cabby uncle: Is that younger or older?
Me: Older by one year.
Cabby uncle: That's ok. Just one year...

We reached my destination at that. I paid, said thank you very much and he wished me all the best. I was mildly curious about the pilot son but que sera, sera.

---

Justine and I waited for Cynthia who was on the way from the clinic. I still sweat incessantly and as such am constantly parched. So I went into Coffee Bean to get a drink. I asked for the mineral water. It was S$2.50 for a that mini bottle.

Me: What?? I might as well get a real drink!

I started to look for the mango frappucino then realised that is sold in Starbucks. The guy behind the counter then said something surreal.

Guy: In that case can I recommend you the iced-tea? It is rose-flavoured and it is very soothing for the throat on a hot day like this. It is like a stream to a dry land.

?????????

Me: Ok then.
Guy: It's $3.50. Please pick up at that end. Thank you and enjoy your shopping.

I picked up my drink and it was indeed very refreshing. I felt like a wilting flower being revived by dew (am I as poetic?).

As I walked back to meet Justine I could not help smiling all the way.

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Elaine got me to help her with nursery duty in church. The reason I said yes was because I had told God I would join Him where there is a need when I return to TCC.

Today we got the 1 to 2.5 year olds. The two cutest looking girl and boy were the cry babies. I unfortunately carried the boy from his mom and he stuck to me for most of the time. He was really cute. If only he stopped crying. Which he did, at the last 20 minutes. The credit goes to another helper, not I.

There was this other girl who was really quiet and good. But she smelled. I wondered if it was because of her breath or her diapers. Either way, it did not reflect well on her mom.

I was attracted to another little boy who minded his own business. The moment his parents dropped him off, he went to look at the toys. He did not interact. He examined and played with one toy and then another. When he is amused by them he smiles to himself and displays his two charming dimples, one on each side of his cheeks. He was most mild mannered. When another girl snatched something from him, he just went on to do other things. When we offered him snacks he took just one piece each time (the crying girl was a hoarder). He never demanded for anything, least of all our attention. He also never said a word or acknowledged anyone.

His name was Caden Lim. And I was highly intrigued by him.

It was interesting to observe little people with such different characters in just two hours. But I think I shall try another ministry.

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It is 1:30 am and I still cannot sleep. I am not so bemused now because I want to go to church in the morning!