2:46am [Singapore]

It's horribly quiet except for the loud roaring noise of the plane. It has been 2 hours since I last saw my dad, brother and my beloved Daryn. Only 2 hours, but it seems to me like 2 years. I miss them already. I miss my dad, my bro, Lester and most especially Daryn!

There was a short wait before I could board the plane. I sat in the waiting area reading my book on Mary, Queen of Scots. I didn't want to think about what had happened. It hadn't hit me yet and I didn't want it to.

The plane, and my seat, is kind of cramped. Well, that's economy class for you. I'm sitting next to a window and just outside is the right wing of the Boeing 767. Not much of a view, but here and there, I could still see whatever's outside. As the plane prepared for take-off, I stared out the window thinking of what lies ahead of me. My new life. In a new place. Full of new people. Slowly, no... it was more like a slap in the face, it hit me and I realised I had left all that I knew and loved back at the departure hall. The plane took off, and I saw the little blue lights on the runway. Higher and higher it went, and 'home' was reduced to yellow lights in a sea of darkness. My eyes welled up with tears, and slowly, they rolled down my cheek as I thought of how I'll not be able to see my family and my dearest for another 2 and 3/4 months. It was overwhelming. My mother held on to my hand and tried to see if I was okay as I had turned my head to face the window, watching the island disapper. I pretended I was okay, as I always do, but I was dying inside. Oh how I wish I were in my little comfy bed, talking on the phone with my Daryn. I would give anything to do that now! I miss him so! I wonder how I'll ever survive the next 11 weeks! Isn't it strange how some people, like me, want to see the world and everything it has to offer, but hate leaving home? I hope the next couple of months pass quickly!

We will be stopping in Dubai before making our way to London Heathrow Airport. Dubai is 4 hours behind Singapore time. According to the captain, we'll be flying over Moscow. How interesting. Everyone seems to be sleeping now. Mum is. I'm tired too, but sleep won't come easy I think. I feel I might stay awake for 48hours and then collapse in exhaustion, both mental and physical. This is just too much to bear! I miss all of you! I hope you heard me say 'Goodnight' to you, my dear!

6:48am [Singapore]

So damn early in the morning. We flew over India while I was sleeping. If a certain (very dear) person were here, I would imagine he'd be commenting about the smell in the air right about now! Wonder what happened to flying over Moscow... Or maybe I heard it wrong. I'm very nearly reaching Dubai! Oh! Did I mention they played this tape of some prayer just before take-off? It's a Muslim prayer of course. According to the TV screen in the front (which is totally blocked by the seat in front of me if I lie back), it's another hour and a half to Dubai. Enough time for a little nap!

[Dubai International Airport]

Later Ah, Dubai! The land of camels, Aladdin lamps and rich oil shiekhs. I landed at 8:45am [Singapore time] at the Dubai International Airport. It's surprisingly large and clean and modern. Maybe it's because of their oil business. I managed to call Daryn and also spoke to Dad, using the auto-roam feature of Mum's handphone.

I had to dial 00 then the Singapore 65 before the phone number. I think I dialled home accidentally and my maid picked up. I asked for Daryn! Silly me. My eyes are tired and my face looks pale. Very likely it is from the lack of sleep, but strangely, I still have the energy (only 4 hours of sleep on the plane) to feel enthusiastic and excited. Being in a new country, a new place does that to me.

There is a DFS shop here in Dubai airport. And I saw an interesting nail polish thingy. It was shaped like a little pail. Cute. The toilets are also modern, with auto-type faucets. I saw 2 guys wearing sheikh type clothes! Y'know, the cloth thing over their heads. Cool! Gotta run tho'. Need to board the plane. Thankfully it wasn't a very long wait.

Later still I have just finished watching the in-flight movie "Where The Heart Is". Touching movie. Stars Natalie Portman. Helped me waste away nearly 2 hours. Oh, how many more hours do I have to spend on a stupid plane? It's 1:43pm [Singapore time] and we've been in the air for some 4 hours already and Britain is still nowhere in sight! How I wish it wouldn't take quite this long to get there,

[View from plane]

but I doubt I'd see the day when we could get from one place to another in the blink of an eye or the touch of a button (or even a click of the mouse!) One thing I really hate about travelling is flying! Short flights are okay, but they don't take you very far from Singapore. All the places I want to go are so darn far! I wonder where we're flying over now. It's very bright outside. Clear blue sky, fluffy white clouds. Quite picturesque if you haven't been looking at it for over 4 hours!

They are showing another movie now. I think I've watched it before. It is about firemen. Oh! No, no! It's that show where the son can communicate with his dad in the past. Maybe I'll watch it again, but it's giving me a crick in the neck. I can barely see the screen! The chairs in front of me are obstructing my view. One thing good though, is that there are no commercials, and a free flow of coke!

<Back . Index . Forward>