Day 1 of 8: The Skies Were At My Fingertips

The busy streets near Kembangan Station

As a child, I was fond of memorizing the capitals of each country, looking at every wondrous place around the world in my atlas. Never did I imagine myself travelling and seeing those places right in front of me, staring at those amazing attractions with my eyes on it. And yes, I am very much grateful for this day-- because my childhood dreams turned into a reality.

Last year I began to sketch my plans together with my Mom. Yes, you read it right. It's a sketch, a drawing. We were still unsure of it coz I don't even know my schedule for next year. Well, January 1 came in. I was really in great astonishment to know that the tickets were already bought. Excitement and happiness filled my senses. This is indeed a "start-the-year-right" for me. I am really, really happy.

Days and months passed, I became too impatient. I felt that I am needing a real, quality time to unwind to free my mind with all the preoccupations of school stuffs and all that there is. I needed a stress reliever, a time to rest... a vacation.

At long last, May 16 2011 came.

This day marks my first international trip together with my Mom. And this also wouldn't be possible without my ever supportive Dad. He never fails to spoil me with these things.

Upon arrival at NAIA, 1:00 am in the morning.

It was 12 midnight when we left the house heading to NAIA. I could not anymore hide my excitement to see Singapore and Malaysia personally. Actually, I wasn't really able to prepare for our flight that much because I did my last minute packing. Well, it was really obvious because I forgot to weigh my baggage and when we arrived at the airport, it was too late when I found out that our baggages are excess of weight. :))) But of course, Mom is always my superwoman. She paid for my excesses.

At exactly 5am, we were already checked in. We waited for the boarding at the lounge. While I was waiting, I took my self shots holding my passport, because as I was telling you, it was my first international flight so I am really excited about it.

Me holding my passport! :)

But before going out of the country, one must pass through the immigration. This actually tensed me a lot because my valid ID (which was supposed to be a requirement) is in my luggage, and I almost forgot that it is already at the plane. How will I be able to face the immigration officer without that? Argh, that thought bugged me, I became really nervous until Mom & I's turn came to be. We handed out our passports and much to my expectations, the immigration officer didn't say anything. He didn't even question us. He just signed and put a stamp on our passports. After that breath-taking moment, I could not believe that I am about to ride the plane!! (Though, it's not my first time to ride a plane. I already had my first last year, heading to Mindoro.)

Bye Philippines for now!! :) Here's Mom and I, our first Mommy-and-daughter photo taken by Ms. Carl with her Nikon D5000 camera. Yay, it is really evident especially in my face that  I am sooo excited. Haha!

Yes, I savored the plane's take off. Although I had a hard time feeling that "heavy feeling", I dared myself to. It was a 3 hour and 10 minute ride to Singapore. For the first hour I was not asleep because I am still enjoying the trip, with my notebook and pen. I wrote everything that I felt before we actually rode the plane and for the time being. I could hardly express my happiness. But for the next hour, I already felt the need that I had to sleep to recharge for our first day in Singapore. So yes, I fell asleep. But I was awakened after 30 minutes. I think it is because I am already impatient to see a new country right before my very eyes. It wasn't so long when the pilot claimed that we were about to land to Changi Airport.

First photo at Kembangan Station