My day out with Ashwin.

On Saturday, Ashwin and I went to Singapore Discovery Center. At first I was apprehensive about taking him out all by myself - he would get bored and I would get tired - but I must say that my son is a delightful companion.

At first, we took the SAFTI bus tour. We were the only ones on the bus beside the guide and the driver. I enjoyed learning about the way NSMen live and work and play while Ashwin enjoyed … the bus ride. We even got to wave to a group of soldiers passing by.

The exhibits at the center were meant for an older audience but there were buttons for pressing and that was enough for Ashwin. There was a station where you could be a news reporter and watch yourself live on TV. Ashwin took the hotseat and started to report on the first MRT operating in Singapore. "One Two Buckle Shoe" he began … and then he noticed himself on TV and went totally shy! Not another word spoken into the microphone. The spectators enjoyed this cheeky grin for the rest of the show.

For a cultural touch, we got to try some Malay dancing.

We caught an iMAX movie on Mount Everest. I mentally prepared myself to leave the show half way through if Ashwin got restless. I bought a packet of popcorn for added measure. Throughout the 45 minute show, Ashwin watched with fascination. Guess who was the one digging into the caramel flavoured popcorn?!?! The movie was inspiring and at the end of the show, I was filled with a kind of tenderness towards Ashwin and the world at large that it actually ached (or was it the popcorn causing heart burns?!). I was proud of the world for being such an interesting and beautiful place for my son and happy for him to have the choice to explore and conquer the world or sit back and watch others do it - whichever pleased him more.

We shared a pizza for lunch. I was sure that all the olives would land on my plate - being black and all. My epicurean son however discovered two things - one the olives fit his thumb perfectly and two, they were delicious!

On our way back, Ashwin sat down abruptly on this step. I was about to think this would make a cute snap but the thought bubble must have popped out of my head because before I could react, Ashwin asked, "Poto?" Ashwin, the mind reader!

This morning, I asked him again if he liked the "big movie" and what did he see and he replied "Aunty uncle up up po ikka. Aunty KAI vizha kka"

Obviously, I was not the only one inspired!