Making Lemonade

So, at about 4pm yesterday, I was asked if I had any engagement for the evening. I thought my colleague wanted to ask me out for dinner, so I asked her - what's up really.  She asked if I want some tickets to the closing ceremony of the 28th SEA Games, she has three to give away. I was like--Hummmmmmm.... and Hummmmmmm again. Erm, no lah, I don't follow Sports ley. She was like- Bring your kids lah. I was like (in my head thinking)- Hum... always bring Kiki then how about Colin? I can't keep postponing his excursions, right? Some more now they've been telling me about SEA games (from all the interactions they have with their school & friends) So then my colleague found me another ticket and said that now I can bring all. Still, I was hesitant because I know the Stadium would be crowded. Some more how would I possibly rush ourselves there in time? She said- I scan you the tickets lah, you take a look lor. So when I see that there wasn't any "Be seated by XX hours" clause, I thought - Okay lor, we should be able to make it since the ticket says - CLOSING CEREMONY 8:00PM (with Pre-shows at 7:00pm and Gate opening at 6:00pm).

So I got home, hurled KiCo & Maricar into Lancelot, and Bren drove us there (to the nearest drop-off point). The kids and I were excited. After security check and all the hassle of queuing, we found our gate, Gate 4, that is. But the massive crowd at Gate 4 were dispersing, I heard the volunteers announcing - Gate 4 ticket holders, move to Gate 5 or 7! So we moved to Gate 5, but there was yet another massive queue. Still, we obediently joined the queue, but the line was not moving. Then, one batched were let in. So the queue moved a bit. By then after 20 mins of waiting, it was 7.45pm. Still got chance to watch the festivities even though we may miss the start, right? Some groups of people started to cut into the queue, trying to pull a fast one by merging in. But all the people in the queue voiced out and ask those people to - go to the back! At a few junctures, there were shouting matches and the F word was hurled into the air many times. Mainly people scolding people cutting queues, once or twice, people scolding any fella in usher attire because the ushers said they didn't know what was happening. They kept asking all of us to WAIT. Had they not say that, I would have left. 

So I had to keep telling KiCo to be patient cos the organisers said - Wait, we are making space before opening the gates. (which I believed they were telling the truth). At one juncture, the usher said to go to Gate 23. Most people didn't move because they came from Gate 27, so they are not convinced. At 7.50pm suddenly they announced - Go to Gate 3! So we hurried over and we were at the front of the gates. As the organisers announced that they were gonna open the gates, suddenly, the mob behind us surged forward and pressed body to body. I shouted for Maricar to carry Colin and I held onto her arm. I begged for one chap (a male in office attire, with a female companion), I begged him to let Maricar come forward because he was standing between our arms and I have a kid with me. He refused to barge and refused to move. I have no room to move forward nor backward, I had been using my body to shield Kiki who stood in front of me. Suddenly, fear engulfed me. Fear spelled- "STAMPEDE", because suddenly I realised that the crowd were out of character. They were angry and they were beyond reasoning. Then I saw two school boys on my right (Malay boys), I asked one of them if he could let Maricar come forward because I have a boy with me. He tilted his body and let Maricar come nearer to me. Then Colin's sweaty head emerged, big eyes staring up; momentarily there was a breath of sanity. One lady asked me- Do you want to come in front? I think you'd better come in front (of me). So I quickly scanned the tickets and we got in. What a relief. I was so foolish to bring them to such an overwhelming event, and I'm not even a sports fan! Crazy moly. Colin being oblivious to the close and present danger, chuckled away. He thought it was part of the fun.  =_="

When we got in, I saw that the audience were just seated anywhere. The people just filled up whatever seats there were, regardless what seat blocks their tickets say. There was no system whatsoever. Such poor crowd control in our shinny Singapore. Still, I had to do my best to let KiCo have an experience, although by this time I was already kicking my own ass. I found ourselves a seat at block 101. The entire section, like 500 seats, WERE FUCKING EMPTY. No time to be bitter, I have to salvage the night, so I tried to lighten up by animating the parade- whatever airplane that floated by, stamps, and dunno whatever thing lah, damned no mood. Kiki asked if we could go home before the show ends. That was when I realised she hasn't spoken the whole time since Gate 3. I had thought that Colin might be affected by the mob but it turned out to be Kiki. She had the worried look although she denied that it was the 'pushing' at the gate. I explained to her that when going back, the gates will all be opened and there would not be any squeeze. But she was not convinced. Then suddenly the fireworks came on and she was distracted, was excited briefly. After that the floor opened and dance music were spun by the DJ, many people went to the field to play. I said- Let's go down there, and that was when she broke down and cried. She doesn't want anything to do with crowds anymore. *sigh. Slowly, I coaxed her about her middle name being Joan, so she has to be brave. And that the Nila mascot also teaches about Courage. So she must have the courage to overcome challenges like- fear. What a field trip. Crazy moly. 

Took much coaxing for her to slowly shed the fear. 

So.... a valuable lesson learned. 

If I am not prepared to go to such events hours ahead, then don't go. 

Meanwhile, trying to save the dampened day....

Whatever stamp collections there were. maybe the first ever 4 cents stamp.

Blah blah blah 

 The Papa at home, was feeling pleased that his children were watching the spectacular event live while he watched from TV at home. He was dismayed to learn about our episode. He said the whole time while he wowed the screen, he thought we must be having a great time = ( 

 Refused to join the dance. 

 Assured her that she doesn't need to join the dance, and that we're heading home.

I got the- Silly-mother-of-the-28th-SEA-Games award.

 Picked this concert noise-maker from the dustbin. 

(we didn't get the fun pack) 

and yes, she has a gaping smile. 

(one night, she cried in bed, asked how she's supposed to smile at Yiyi's wedding when she has no front teeth). I think as long as she smiles from the heart, she looks sweet regardless.

Utilizing the banner to "teach" her about "courage" -_-