Tales of a busy EXPAT housewife....Now In Singapore

Welcome home

2012-01-23T20:28:00.000+08:00

I got back to Singapore Friday morning at 1. I was met at the airport by my sexy husband who had orange juice for me and 6 red roses. I think I was more thrilled by the orange juice. Flying makes me crave OJ, badly! Just to show off the roses here is a picture taken 3 days later.

When we got home my sexy husband had a bouquet of Stargazer Lillies waiting for me too. I love the smell of those Lillies. 3 days later and it looks like most of them have bloomed. My house smells amazing.

Then as I go upstairs I notice this....

I've always said that Bob is the yin to my yang so when we found one of the elephants from the Singapore elephant parade I think he started planning.

I also found 30 red roses. I guess they don't sell them in dozens here but I'm not complaining.

It was all a very nice surprise. He was busy with all the family stuff and his own job but he found time to make my homecoming memorable.

It's good to be missed but even better to be loved completely!

OH MY!

2012-01-23T17:16:00.000+08:00

Literally hours after I wrote the last post I got a call from my sister saying my mom had just had a stroke. My world has been at a stand still since then.
I did go home to see her. The stroke was major enough that I felt the huge need to hug my mom and just see her.
It's funny how much my life has changed and I wasn't even the stroke victim. I will always have a mother who suffered a stroke, no matter how well she recovers she will still need to take extra precautions. I will always call her more and really pay attention to how she is. I will always worry if she is home alone. And honestly that is so little of a problem compared to the things my mom has to overcome.
My sisters and I have bonded over something we never thought would happen but we stuck together and we had eachothers backs when it mattered most. It was so nice to have 3 best friends who understood everything I said and did. We have a history no matter how many years we've been apart or the roads that life has taken us.
My kids and husband did excellent while I was away! It was so nice to know that everything here in Singapore was covered and they did it all on their own. They also made a great team. My husband has always appreciated the job I do but I think he has a whole new understanding of how it goes here in Singapore. He was great and didn't complain once!
My whole family is great. From my birth family to the one I birthed. I am now looking forward to getting back to Singapore life and the new lifestyle I have in store for me.

2011 where did you go?

2012-01-01T16:06:00.002+08:00

I am so bad at time management. This last year was no exception. There were so many things I didn't get done that I had hoped to.

I didn't see enough of my friends.
I didn't spend as much time with my kids as I wanted.
I yelled too much and didn't take enough deep breaths.
I didn't listen to the voice in my head and wore my heart on my sleeve.
I didn't tell my husband how wonderful he is EVERY day.
I didn't reach out to those in need as much as I should have.
I didn't have enough "me" time for massages, pedis, book reading, crafts or just relaxing time.

I hope to get better at these things in 2012. I might not get them all done, it might not be perfect. But I TRIED. I cared enough to TRY. I am always the optimist thinking there is time to do everything but there never is. Time flies by too fast. I want this next year to be about things that are important, that matter, that will make MY life better.

I hope to reach out more to my friends, old and new, and make some quality friendships.
I will make sure that the little amounts of time I do spend with my kids are quality time making memories we will all cherish forever.
I'll try and remember my kids are more important than that load of dishes or laundry when THEY want to talk and not when it suits my time line!
I will not yell, as much, when things aren't done in MY timely manner.
I will continue to wear my heart on my sleeve and trust everyone I meet. I will believe in the goodness of people and hope that I may make a mark in their lives. It's my biggest character flaw somedays.
I hope to make my husband really understand that he is wonderful and without him my life would be sub-par.
I will try hard to carve out "me" time and be happy with the bits that I get and not whine that it's not enough.

2011 was a good year. It will be missed but it has now become a future scrapbook that I will need to make...someday when I have enough time.

I'm bilingual now

2011-11-30T12:28:00.000+08:00

I've been living in Singapore now for just over a year. It's been fun listening to all the different languages and different accents. They are always so beautiful and exotic. It's one of the things I don't think I could ever tire of.

English is one of the 4 official languages of Singapore so that has helped us communicate with just about everyone. The kids take Mandarin in school and are pretty good at it too. They were able to talk to a few people while we were in China. It was awesome listening to my kids speak a different language. I have been studying Mandarin but I am no good. The voice inflections get me and I get too flustered. Our trip to China showed me just how crappy my Mandarin skills are!

I have however picked up on another language spoken here although it isn't an "official" language it is spoken everywhere! I speak of British English! Seriously! If facebook will let me choose it as a language I speak then I will choose it! Yes my friends I am slowly becoming very adept at speaking British English!

Here are a few examples for you non-believers.
My friend Tanya uses a pram for her children.
Notice that I say pram and not stroller. Pram is British English

Here's another...
Natalie loves to ride in the lift.
Lift is British for elevator. See how good I am at this? It's almost like my ancestors came from Britian or something!

Bob likes to put his beer in an esky.
In America we would say cooler but the British are so proper they like to say esky.
Even pinterest recognizes the difference between British English and American English as recognized by this poster....

So, Now on a hot summer day the kids will be offered cold on a cob instead of popsicles.

It has been hard to learn the differences in some places. I told the maintenance guy I liked his truck and he did not understand until I said I liked his lorry. It can still be confusing. Next I will try to learn the spelling of British English. How to spell movie theatre instead of movie theater, or go to the shopping centre instead of the shopping center. Being bilingual is hard but so fascinating.

Thanksgiving in Singapore take 2

2011-11-26T12:13:00.000+08:00

This is our 2nd year we get to celebrate Thanksgiving in Singapore. This one we kind of know what we are doing! Last year we were just too new, but we still enjoyed it.

Last year we had someone else make some of our feastly food. This year we had him do ALL of it, except deviled eggs. The kids like to do those. Mr. Hoe, from the Singapore American School makes the BEST turkey I have EVER had! He makes many things for both Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and it is worth EVERY penny. It gave us more time to enjoy each other as a family and just to relax a little. I also didn't have to worry about any of the preparations or getting any of the food ingredients. SO easy! I did, however, take snapshots of all the prices I WOULD have paid for a Singaporean Thanksgiving. It's not like the States and that's OKAY with me! In the States I would NEVER have got it catered.

Here is the price of a Singaporean Turkey. One Kg is equal to 2.2 pounds. So a ten pound turkey would cost you 44 dollars. Except this is my oven here in Singapore and I'm not sure it would fit. I barely fit a full sized cookie sheet in it with a "personal" sized pizza on it!

Next up we have a green bean casserole. Since living here I usually just get fresh green beans but I couldn't find any and barely found the last can of green beans at the store I was at! Plus, what is green bean casserole without the french fried onions? No picture of the cream soup because I totally forgot about it, good thing someone else was cooking my meal! This would be about $15 for the casserole itself! Mashed potatoes too, A 5 pound bag will cost about $5 here. I already had some so I didn't go out of my way to look. Just take my word for it!

What would a Thanksgiving dinner be without the Pumpkin Pie? Although the day I was taking the pictures the store was out of pie crusts I still got a picture of how much it would cost if they did have some. When you add in the Cool whip at $6 for the small tub, two pumpkin pies will cost you about $25!

Stuffing is a must have and although we usually drink grape juice with sprite I took a picture of the pints of milk! And don't forget the cranberry sauce. Of course you can use fresh cranberries but most of us like the canned stuff. So, that was about $4 for the can.

Of course you need rolls and usually I just buy crescent rolls from the Pillsbury people. They are rare here in Singapore and can cost you ALMOST $12 depending on where you buy them. For 12 crescents that would be about $24! Add in our pints of milk and some stuffing and you have a meal that costs about $145.

Now, that's just the bare bones. Nothing fancy. And ALL that time and preparation is just too tiring. Especially when you can just go pick it up here from SAS. We paid about $180 for all of that plus something new called pork cracklin'. And everything comes in a container already for you to put away the leftovers. The turkey comes pre-sliced but still looking like a turkey!

We all had a good time! And enjoyed the food more because clean up was a breeze!

And we'll have fun, fun, fun....

2011-10-23T19:16:00.000+08:00

My 17th wedding anniversary was this last weekend. Bob and I have always done something fun with the family to celebrate. After all our kids are part of our marriage, they are what comes from our love. This year we decided to go to...
Universal Studios Singapore and do Ifly at Sentosa.
I don't know who had more fun, us or the kids! I love amusement parks and I especially love the rides. This time ALL our kids can ride ALL the rides! Proof that the years are still flying by. We had so much fun walking around and just enjoying eachother. By far our most favorite ride was Battlestar Galactica but the blue side or Alien side. THAT WAS AWESOME! Natalie was disappointed in some of the rides because they were too short since they are geared towards some of the littler kids. After the Canopy flyer in the Jurassic Park area Natalie shouts"Oh! EM! GEE! is that it?" That one could have been way more fun if it was just a bit longer. Oh well, makes a great story to tell!
After touring Universal we had a flight time of 5 at Ifly. We checked in, had a quick training class and geared up to go fly. Ifly is the largest wind tunnel in Singapore and simulates the free fall you have after jumping out of an airplane. It is AMAZING! I am so ready to take this up as a new hobby but Bob says I need to earn some money first. Maybe I can just put up a donation button to feed my adrenaline junkie side? It's not as easy as it looks and I was true to my inner clutz and ran smack dab into the window! I didn't even see it sneak up on me but I conked my head pretty good! Another great story to tell. Jake stopped after his first turn but is ready to go back and try again!

It was a really good family day and was such fun to celebrate our love with our little loves.

I'm so proud of myself!

2011-10-10T21:56:00.000+08:00

There is a new icon on my blog! Did you see it? Yes, that one for expat arrivals! I kind of earned that logo!

A few weeks ago I was contacted by the Expat arrivals site to write an article for them. No pay or anything just write an article and maybe I'll get more visitors to my blog. I would have wrote the article anyway. I like helping people, and giving MY side of advice. And this little article I did for them... is just that, my experience and the advice I can give out. I'm really no expert on anything and everyone will have different experiences or ideas what is best for them. But this is a good guideline to start with.

The Expat Arrivals site has many informative articles. It is worth checking out. They have real people living in Singapore telling how they deal with the culture shock or with renting property here. I personally like the real world experience that people can share as opposed to the books written by people that have never really "lived" in Singapore.

I was very happy they even asked for me to be a contributor. Like I said, I like helping others as much as I can and I do like writing from time to time. This was good for me to write to someone for someone else's needs. It made me think about how much I've become accustomed to many things here in Singapore. I had to think about how I felt the first few weeks and how daunting it was for me to go outside the house much less find a Dr. and lately I feel like we have been living at the Dr. offices. So, I may not be the best expert they could have asked but I'm happy just the same to share the little bit of info I did have.

Decisions...

2011-09-29T08:51:00.000+08:00

This is one of the funny signs I found while at the Airport.

My biggest question was what if you are in between the toilets?

Do you go right to the one you just saw or go to the left and keep your eyes open?

Or do you just stand there confused?

I'm sure I know people who would do all 3! Not the same person, I hope!

However, I am glad that there are signs to tell you and I don't have to hunt EVERYWHERE for the bathroom! That is not fun at all, especially when you or your child REALLY has to go.

My 7 links

2011-09-17T15:41:00.000+08:00

I was recently nominated by my friend and fellow expat blogger Bec to participate in the Seven Links Project. The Seven links Blog Project is a way of uniting bloggers together and to share some forgotten blog posts and then nominate other bloggers to participate. So, I looked through all my blog posts this morning took a nice trip down memory lane. I don't like to brag but all my posts are pretty good, here are my 7 most.....

Most Beautiful

I know I'm going against the rules here but I have two I love. So, you decide which one you like and ignore the other! I have this one....http://talesofabusyhousewife.blogspot.com/2008/06/bored-kids-rainy-day.html because it has 2 of my kids, my husband and my cat that I really do miss. The only thing wrong with it is Greyson isn't in it. My other most beautiful post would have to the one about Sweetarts. Mostly I think it deserves most beautiful because it's words of wisdom from my mom and it's carried me through many bumps in the road of life.

Next up...
Most Popular

This one was a little tough for me. I ended up picking the one that BECAME my most favorite outside of my blog. Which had to be this one titled ...ADDICTION. This post didn't have the most comments or even the most views HOWEVER, it did have the most recipients. We bought a ton of these shoe/slippers and gave them out as gifts! TO EVERYONE we had ever met it felt like. The shoes were quite popular and I miss wearing them but the fur is just too hot for my tropical paradise.

Now we have the post for...
Most Controversial

This one got chose only because it has the word KILL in it and it really would be a hard decision to make! I think if my husband has said that to me there would be one less husband walking this earth.

Now we have the
Most Helpful

I don't write helpful posts. I'm not an expert in much of anything and I really just like to write about me and how I feel, that's something that I am an expert at! So, this one had me puzzled but I found the post entitled...That time of the month. It happened almost one full year ago! I chose it because it made me remember that being helpful is good, but being myself helps ME even more!

We move onto
The Most Surprisingly Successful post

This one still gets comments! That is why I chose Something for my exercising friends as the most successful. Most of the comments are spam but once in awhile I get a funny one. A few months ago I had one in another language and it sounded like they wanted to actually BUY one!

Onto the
Most Underrated

This one was totally about me and the role music plays in my life. I think I need to update it because I have more music to add. The soundtrack of my life is funny but it is part of me. Music plays a big role in my life. It describes me in many ways, it helps me through bad times, is right alongside me in good times and just seems to always be in the background. I can do ANYTHING with music, well, except sing but whatever. I chose it as most underrated because it really is a good description of me and I think most people read it and think it's just a funny.

And finally the post that I am
Most Proud of

The Ying to my Yang is the post I am most proud of. Marriage is hard. It takes work, understanding and sometimes tough love. But ours is still strong after almost 20 years together. It hasn't been easy but the hard work makes me so proud. I am proud to call Bob my husband. He really is the best compliment I could have for myself. We fit well and for that I am proud.

In turn I am going to nominate
1. Canesa, I see she has been blogging lately and I want to see some of her older posts again.
2. Tanya who is also a friend, fellow expat and blogger. She'll see how far she has come in her few short months here in Singapore. Memory lane is wonderful!
3. Andrea who is also a friend, a fellow expat and most importantly a HELPFUL blogger.
Good luck Girls.

The circle of life

2011-08-29T22:24:00.000+08:00

Yes, I know I'm behind again. What's new? It's the story of my blogging life! Welcome to my world people! I've suffered from writers block again. I have noticed that when I am working through other things in my life the "easy" posts become harder. I NEED to write some of my life situations out. This is my own personal journal, right? LOL.
My children started school about 2 weeks ago. It really is a hard time for me. I've had a hard time since my youngest started first grade. Which in our area was full day, kindergarten was still half day. And that is where my challenges begin!

I stumbled upon motherhood. I wanted a career and a good daycare. I ended up falling in love, quitting college and then having kids. I LOVE MOTHERHOOD! I never thought I would but it has me in it's grips and most days I struggle with letting my kids go. It's so hard for me. I cry the first day of school and NOT from joy. I miss them. By the end of the day I'm sitting at the door impatiently waiting for my kids to come home. I miss them needing me like when they were younger. I think it a cruel thing to be a mother with the only purpose to love your kids and teach them to one day leave you! Does any other job do that?

I know someday they will leave me and I do want that. It's the circle of life. I don't baby my kids so that they must stay with me either. I try my hardest to give them the wings to fly without me. Somedays I would love to clip those wings and just hold them tight. To have ME be the center of their little universe. But that is not the way it goes. I need to teach them those little things so that they can become good members of society and start the circle all over again with their families.

Every year the beginning of school affects me and every year I take a day to feel sorry for myself. Then I move on and cry in private and hope that I tell my kids I love them enough and that I am giving them enough tools for life.This year is a little different, this year I know that I need to move on. I can't change how life goes. They will leave as they should and there is no way I would want any different for them. So, this year I am going to grow up myself. I'm going to decide what I want to do with my life outside the family. This year I started counseling to help me decide these things. Why counseling? To fight off the guilt I feel for not giving my all to my family.

I am one of those people that knows it is good for my kids to move on but feel guilty when I do things for me. It hasn't always been this way just in the last few years as I see them needing me less and less and as I feel that my "worth" is dwindling. I no longer know everything, I'm no longer supermom, I'm no longer the ONLY person they want for comfort or even just to play with. The guilt was getting so bad that I said sorry about everything even if it wasn't my fault. I got stuck in a rut and am now seeking help to deal with the future.

Of course when the kids were little I didn't do much thinking about things that I like and things that interest me. I dabbled in crafts, reading, writing, sewing and so many other things. I'm okay at a bunch of things but not really great at anything. This is a year for me to explore other talents that may have lain hidden, to find me while I continue to teach my kids to fly. WIthout guilt, without pressure but with the help and support of my family and friends. But most of all it is me getting off my pity pot that I'm old, that my kids don't need me and re-creating me. Millions of mothers before me have done this, millions of mothers have survived. It is the circle of life.

Let me tell you a little story.

2011-08-14T14:14:00.001+08:00

Once upon a time way back in 2008 the Olympics were held in Beijing, China. They created this swimming complex for all those competitions that are done in the water. This complex is called The Watercube. This is THE complex where Michael Phelps broke records and became the fastest man in water. We watched those Olympics more than any other.

Fast Forward to 2011....

When we decided to go to Beijing we knew we would go to see this Watercube and the other well known Stadium the Bird's Nest. However, what we did NOT know until we got to Beijing was that one of the pools at the Watercube was turned into a waterpark for the public to enjoy more and most likely earn more money. We HAD to go! HAD TO! Even Greyson, who isn't particularly fond of waterparks was ready to go. Think about it, Americans. In China. At the Watercube. Swimming. We were so there!

We toured the competition pools, did some looking around. Recognized the diving platforms from TV. Took our pics of Henry the Gnome and decided to get a little lunch. We find a table to sit at and instantly we are bombarded by people wanting our picture! There was one Grandma that just kept posing her Grandkids all around us and asking for more pictures. Then Greyson walked over with some of our food and the picture posing started ALL over again. As she's taking pictures other people are sneaking in photos of us while we are posing. It was hilarious!

The paparazzi finally leave us to our food and we start to look around at the waterpark portion of the Watercube. It LOOKS AWESOME! We down our food and head downstairs to the locker rooms and entrances. Bob pays for our way in and gets the key for our locker. The place is HUGE! There are a ton of kids running around without clothes on and some of the parents aren't much better. That's just out in the common areas where the lockers are located! We make our way to the shower areas and there are so many more totally naked bodies running around that I thought we had a stripper bar, Americans are so hung up on modesty! It was hilarious but Natalie was very uncomfortable. Even the dressing stalls don't have doors! We hurry and get our swimsuits on and leave to meet the boys to put stuff in the locker.

Now, remember that key Bob got for the locker. It works like an easy pass, you scan the key and the locker opens. We found a locker and put all our junk into it! Clothes, camera, passports, money. ALL in the little locker.

We enter the great OLYMPIC WATERPARK. This place is packed! And a little cold, they have aircon being pumped into it but get in the water and it's fine. There is a huge wave pool near a stage and they do shows on the stage every so often. There is also a big screen on the wall by the wave pool, this is great for watching the show. The show has blasting music, live dancers, an emcee and a balloonist dressed as a clown! During the show there are cameras that film the swimmers and when you are on the big screen you are splashed by EVERYONE! It was great! Grey loved it and Jake seemed a bit overwhelmed by all the people!

Natalie and I waited in line at the slides for a very long time. She wanted to do the red slide that actually shoots you UP! We decided against that one and went on the blue one that is much more tame. I still didn't like it, I hate being in an enclosed space in my older age. Greyson and Bob did the red slide and LOVED it. You are put into a tube and they count down before you free fall into the slide! It was pretty cool but I couldn't get up the nerve to do it. We ended the trip with the lazy river and decided we were done.

There seems to be no such thing as water diapers here so I was a little more careful than I usually am at a pool. I saw lots of naked baby buts in the pool. We headed to the showers to wash off the chlorine and any thing else we may have picked up. Once again, tons of naked bodies all cramming into a tight space. However, the showers were nice and hot even with tons of people using them.

We all meet back at our locker and CAN NOT get the thing open! We try and try. The scanner thing is not working. The Chinese kid next to us starts speaking to us in ENGLISH! We were so happy to understand someone. Seems we made a HUGE mistake! There is actually a number on the key fob and THAT was the locker number we needed to use. NO ONE told us! ALL of our important stuff is in that locker! Unless someone who has that key came and threw our stuff out. It's a tense situation! After some laughs at our benefit our new little friend helps us find an employee to help us. Of course the employee knows no english and our mandarin is practically non-existent. (note: when visiting a foreign country brush up on the local language) We are saved by our English speaking Chinese friend, again. They all laugh at us AGAIN but We all finally understand each other and the locker is opened! Wallah, Our stuff is safe and sound! We all breath a sigh of relief. That could have been so bad. I'm so grateful that the Chinese believe in teaching their kids a second language at an early age, I am also grateful that out of all those lockers we got the one by the kind english speaking grandfather and kids. God looks out for us fools!

Our trip to the watercube is over and we are all very happy. We end up finding a McDonald's for dinner, discuss our amazing time at the Cube and then find a ride back to the hotel. The ride was another one of our big mistakes but I'll save that for another post!

Beijing...Something to start with

2011-08-08T10:33:00.000+08:00

We spent 7 glorious days in Beijing, China. 7 Days I would NEVER have EVER thought I would do! I'm an American girl who grew up basically in the middle of the USA. I was happy just to go the neighboring state. So, finding myself in CHINA was like a dream. It sometimes didn't feel like it was me. Even now and looking at all the pictures it doesn't seem like I was really there. I've said it a million times and I'll say it a million times more, I LOVE seeing these different cultures and learning from them. It is perhaps more fun to me than some of the sites we see.

The first thing I noticed about Beijing was the grass, the kind I'm use to in the US. It was odd at first. Then we started driving more into the city and there wasn't much grass left to see. There are millions of people in Beijing, literally! And I think everyone of them owns a car and all were on the rode while we were driving to the hotel. They drive on the right side of the rode, unlike Singapore, and that too was weird at first. We looked like the tourists we with our heads looking all around and sometimes with our mouths wide open. We realized that Beijing is very much like the US. We even looked up the coordinates of Beijing and it is about the same coordinates as where 2 of my sisters live in Nebraska. The only thing that was different was the people were a bit shorter and didn't have the pasty white skin tone, theirs is a beautiful caramel brown.

Looks a lot like where I grew up

There were also TONS of bikes/scooters/motorcycles EVERYWHERE! I've seen bikes but these ones seemed to multiply! Some had seats on the back for the rider, some just had 2 or more people on them balancing and driving along, at the same time! Sometimes the bikes weaved in and out of traffic and the cars would honk. I will never again complain about Singapore traffic after being in Beijing. With all the people and cars and bikes it is an aggressive path to anywhere you may want to go.

this is a tame picture of traffic

The food was always good and always a surprise. Our tour guide, Lily, took us around most of the time we were there and we told her we wanted Chinese food and not Western food. She obliged and we had some of the most delicious food! We ate tons of vegetables that I'm going to start adding to our dinners and we had some of the best noodles I have ever had in my life! I even ate mushrooms AND liked them! We are expanding our palate little by little but I have not been disappointed yet! It's such a refreshing change from the same old food we were use to.

Beijing noodles! Even Henry, our Gnome loved them

One of the biggest things we noticed was all the Chinese writing on everything. DUH! I don't know why it surprised us at first. You go to any big city and most everything is written in the local language and maybe one more. English was few and far between on buildings and it wasn't one of the most widely used languages but we found enough people who knew enough English to help us to get what we wanted or needed. We went to a grocery store and I didn't see ANY English on any of the products unless it was part of the description of the product, Lay's potato chips were "English style". Chinese writing is beautiful and it almost added to the beauty of the buildings.

no idea what it says but it sure looks pretty

We live in Singapore, I have seen Chinese, they have seen westerners. However, in Beijing we were like a rare creature. People asked to take our pictures, A LOT! We had people silently stand next to us and pose, I think I scared one lady when I turned around and smiled for her picture! We all got asked to be in at least one picture alone. The kids were the bigger hit, they were asked so much that Jake and Nat both said their cheeks hurt from smiling. We would have been able to pay for our trip if we charged for the pictures, that's how much we got asked! I wonder what the people say when they show the pictures of us westerners to their families. Hope we left a good impression.

one of many pics taken of us

Spinning

2011-08-05T18:14:00.002+08:00

We just got back from Beijing, China last night. 9 wonderful days. Some frustrating some not but all exhilarating!

I want to make so many blog posts but my history shows I'm awful at the frequent posting thing. Life gets in my way or writers block starts. There are still some posts I want to do about things we did in JUNE!

However, I just really don't know where to start on the things we did and the things we saw in China. Do I start with the Forbidden City and it's great architecture, or just the plain history of China which is really very overwhelming in itself. Do I begin with the people who are so kind and rude sometimes at the same time. Do I start with my take as an American overseas? Those things that may seem weird or rude to me but not to the natives of that particular country. Or maybe I should start with the Great Wall, something I only colored in on a map while in school, a place so far away it was impractical to really even think about! A place we loved so much we did it TWICE! So many things that I thought about and wondered at. I love how traveling makes me feel younger and makes me think of life.

So, we had a very, very nice trip. I'm so glad that we have been given this great opportunity in life. Not only for my husband's career but also for where we are able to go. It doesn't cost as much as if we lived in the states and it really is a totally different world then the one we were use to. I'm so glad I get to show these things to my kids and the conversations that we have over different lifestyles and cultures. It has been so fun doing these things.

I think I need to think more on what to write so I'll leave you with one of my favorite pictures.

Japanese Garden

2011-07-18T17:54:00.000+08:00

After the Chinese Garden we went across the bridge to the Japanese Garden. Our first look was of a bunch of tires with Bonsai trees in them. It wasn't very pretty at all and I think all of us were looking for the nearest exit out of there.

AND THEN .........

When we turned the corner and saw the most amazing lily pond! It was blooming and it was gorgeous! My mom is an art lover so I have grown up with art books and art replicas since birth. Turning that corner I felt like I was seeing Monet's lily pond paintings in real life! Honestly, I'm not sure what else was at the Japanese Garden except for the pond.

We sat at the pond for awhile. It was just so peaceful. Jake, my child who is always on the go, says he HAS to come back here to sketch pictures, it's just so great! Seriously, he said that! Natalie quickly replied with what a great idea and she was excited to come back too.

Natalie took this picture of a lily flower. It's one of my most favorite pictures. She also has a nice one of a butterfly on a rock. It was like some artistic spirit just came and invaded my children's minds! I'm not complaining at all! It was fun to see their creativity.

Grey even afforded Grandma a smile. I love all the green around him. Oh, and the Japanese lanterns were also in the garden! The lanterns were okay but I don't know how you can compete with the flowers and the water! Mom took one of me too. Of course I had to smile!

This is Jake on our return trip 2 weeks later. He was so quiet and peaceful. I don't know what he was thinking but he talked non-stop afterwards. The pond wasn't so much in bloom this last time so I need to do some research so we can go when it is blooming again. Even not blooming it was a heck of a good time. It was by far one of my favorite spots in Singapore.

We interrupt this regularly scheduled program.....

2011-07-13T08:53:00.001+08:00

My laptop has been hijacked. The one with all my pictures on it! We have 2 computers and 3 laptops in this house but it was MY laptop that allows us to watch some of our missed American shows. So, my kids are currently watching Disney favorites that haven't made it here to Singapore yet through MY laptop that is hooked up to the TV. I can't get to my computer to give you the awesome pictures of the Japanese gardens or the Terra Cotta Warriors or the fireworks or anything else I want to do! The joys of motherhood and always sharing!
So, I will instead refer you to a cute little post I found one day while browsing through some expat blogs. This post talks about the "ugly expat". Even the comments are note worthy, alot of comments but all really good.
So, here are the 12 steps to being an ugly expat, blatantly copied from this blog http://iwasanexpatwife.com/.

1. Don’t waste your valuable time researching your destination or its people before you move — a country’s history or dominant cultural values are no concern of yours. And for heaven’s sake, don’t throw away your money on any of that cross-cultural training mumbo jumbo — everyone knows what a scam that is.

2. Likewise, don’t bother reading up on the causes and symptoms of culture shock, or how to alleviate it. That’s what Valium is for. (Pack lots!)

3. Isolate yourself. Shut yourself up in your compound/condo and refuse all contact with local people. If there’s an exclusive expatriate club nearby, rejoice: you’re saved! Choose your new friends with care, weeding out any prospects who have Gone Native. (Being too chummy with the locals is a dead giveaway.) Successful candidates will have already aced the 12 steps and will embrace you as a kindred spirit.

4. show off your wealth, especially if you live in a developing nation. Your baubles and fancy toys will breed admiration and respect among the impoverished masses, who will revere you as a role model.

5. Under no circumstances should you eat local food. They eat that unsanitary crap because they don’t know any better; you do. (You can’t be too careful — who knows what you might pick up?) If you’re offered anything unrecognizable, be sure to show your disdain by peppering your refusal with terms such as “dysentery” and “intestinal worms.” Gagging noises are optional.

6. Let everyone know how backward the country is, and how much better things are back home. I can’t stress this enough — never let an opportunity to compare the two countries pass you by. It’s your duty to teach the local populace a thing or two, and opening their eyes to their own inferiority will endear you to them. (Bonus points if you can insult cultural and religious icons or other objects of reverence.)

7. Speak your own language exclusively, especially if it happens to be English. (If the locals haven’t bowed to global pressure and learned it already, that’s their problem.) In a pinch, speaking very s-l-o-w-l-y and very LOUDLY should help them understand you. Trust me, they’ll love being talked to as though they were 5 years old. If they still don’t understand, throw your hands up in disgust and walk away, muttering under your breath. There’s some body language that won’t get lost in translation!
8. Don’t try to understand — much less accommodate — local customs. If it’s not The Way Things Are Back Home, it’s irrelevant. (Let them know they’re not fooling you with that siesta thing, for example. Everyone knows daytime napping is nothing but sheer laziness. The steaming midday temperature is just an excuse.)

9. Treat your household staff like the servants they are. They don’t need a day off, and you and I both know that hot water would only spoil them. Since it’s for their own good, I’m sure they’ll thank you later.

10. Social networking was invented for people stuck in godforsaken places like this. Spend all day on Facebook, Twitter, and email, lying about how much fun you’re having. Then log onto Farmville and spend some quality time doing whatever it is people on Farmville do.

11. Drink. A lot. It makes life so much fun, both for you and those around you.

12. Take your frustrations out on your husband. It’s all his fault, anyway. If it weren’t for his precious career, you’d be back home among people who matter, instead of wasting the best years of your life in this hellhole.

I like this post. It makes me think about MY legacy I will leave here. It makes me become more aware of what I do, say and even think.
I do enjoy this expat lifestyle it is in many ways a "break from real life". I try hard to assimilate myself to new ways and new traditions. I try to teach my kids that our way may not always be the best way but an open mind is! I don't want my legacy to be just another spoiled American expat. And because I see myself in some these traits I think I still have alot of work left to do for myself.

Someone special

2011-07-09T11:12:00.000+08:00

Before moving to Singapore I worked at a school for kids with severe special needs. The ages were from pre-k to 21. I loved this job. I am very good at taking care of people and that is exactly what I did.

This week I found out that one of the students I worked with passed away last week. I didn't work with Nicole alot because she had her own full time nurse because of how severe her needs were. However, when I did work with Nicole I had a fun time. She enjoyed getting make up put on and having her hair brushed and braided. She loved Hannah Montana music and even let me borrow a CD to burn for my daughter. She was every bit a typical teenager she just came in a different package. She was capable of all emotions and you could clearly read her face. She had her fits and she had her joys. She couldn't talk but she could blink for yes or no. She was a smart young woman and she touched my heart deeply. As all the kids I worked with did. I don't know her full story and what exactly made her special needs and honestly I don't care. I just know she will be missed by me. She taught me many things in the short months I knew her and I'm glad that I got to call someone so special my friend. May you have new dreams to achieve Nicole.

Chinese Garden Singapore

2011-07-07T16:40:00.001+08:00

The Chinese and Japanese gardens were one of my most favorite places to visit. There was so much architecture to look at and the attention to detail is just amazing. This is the 13 arch bridge you cross to go into the Chinese garden area. It was fun crossing it, we almost felt like we were going into a whole new world!

These are the Twin Pagodas. We only climbed the five flights of stairs in one of them since they are twins. The view of the lake is gorgeous from way up top and there a ton of birds just sitting out on the roof. It's so peaceful in this area you almost forget the big city is just a short ride away!

My kids love record breaking and inside the Main arch building there is a turtle museum which has a place in the Guiness book of world records for having the largest collection of turtles. We seem to have missed a picture of the building itself but fear not we have one of the GWR seal! My 8 year old was in charge of the camera at this time and he thought the seal was more important I guess. We did not go to see the turtles at this time so I have to take the kids back. I'm sure it won't be a problem!

Then we proceeded to the 7 storey pagoda. It was beautiful! On the way there we had to stop for Jake to take a picture of the bird. He was very patient and got a great picture. We passed by the line of Chinese heroes which included Mulan. My kids were surprised that she was a real hero and not just a Disney Character. We climbed to the top of the the Pagoda, well all of us but Grey. This is our picture of him from the top. He did buy us some water while we were walking all those stairs!

Inside the Pagoda. Great architecture but greater kids!

Looking all the way the pagoda. The spiral staircase. Loved it!

We then walk around a whole bunch more. Argued about where we were and what was left to see. Scoped out some great sites for family photos that I"m going to get done someday! So the Stone boat and teahouse is behind my mom and kids. We didn't actually go in it but next time we will. Then we ended up in the garden of abundance which has a bunch of chinese zodiac characters and statues. There were so many nice sculptures it was hard to pic one but the picture of Grey won out. He is miserable and ready to go home but he smiled anyway. I guess a goodtime for a teenager is NOT hanging out in the garden with his Grandma, mom and siblings. Who knew?

We ended somewhere around this area with chinese characters carved into rocks. It was pretty. I love this one, I have no idea what it says but the shape of a heart is cool. We did go around some fruit trees and flower bushes but we didn't take many pictures. We were on a mission to get to the Japanese garden which will need to be it's own post.

The Chinese Garden really did have a lot to look at. It was very peaceful and calming. I love the attention to all the detail in the buildings and gates and even the roof. We all had fun and I think even Grey had a little fun.

Alive and well!

2011-06-30T19:21:00.000+08:00

Hello bloggy friends! Miss me? I have been entertaining my Mom. Time has flown by! We did so much around this cool little Island. It's so fun showing off my new "home". The differences between Singapore and America are vast and it was so nice to see someones face when they see all the differences!
My mom isn't new to traveling though. 7 years ago she visited one of my sisters in Africa. So it was fun listening to the differences and the likes of America, Africa and Singapore. She was very happy that we had aircon because Africa did not! There's a story of her laying on the dirt floor begging people to kill her because the heat was just too much, it got to 130 degrees that day I guess. That did not happen here.
What did we do? We explored! We visited the Art Science Museum, the pottery jungle, Marina Barrage, New water facilities, the zoo, the treetop walk, fireworks on the bay and the Chinese and Japanese gardens. My mom also tried the fish for your feet and bubble tea. She never got around to the durian but I hear it isn't really good until August. I don't think she was sorry about that one! We also logged about 12 miles in the pool swimming laps and just having a good 'ole time!
Most of those places I haven't been to. I'll make posts about each one separately. Starting with my favorite ones. I just needed to update my blog at least ONCE this month!
I'm glad my mom came and that we explored so much. It was fun and it was tiring but I'll do it all again! I love this Island!

Finding

2011-05-30T19:11:00.000+08:00

My last post was all about things I miss about my native country! But it's not all boo hoos and pity pots here. I really do like Singapore, sure some things are different but every time we've moved things are different, even when it was to another state in the UNITED states. It's just the way it goes. I do have to add one more thing I miss....an electronic dishwasher, but right now my dishwasher goes by the name of Natalie, Greyson or Jake.

So, things I have found in Singapore....

I have found sun, sun and more sun! I love the sun. I use to be a sun worshipper. Not so much now, I still love the sun but I use sunblock when out for a long time. I love, love, love the sun and how my skin can almost sizzle with the heat from that big orange fireball in the sky, it just feels good. I'd make a great cat.

I'm also one of the few people I know that likes this heat. Okay, maybe I don't like it but it is a necessary evil as it goes with my sun. I don't mind the heat so much and a good sweat is great for your skin. Seriously, my skin is nice and dewy most of the time. I just need to drink more water to make it look even better. Maybe I just was around snow too much and this heat is a good break. But really it doesn't bother me too much.

That leads me to the next thing I've found which is a pool! IN MY OWN BACKYARD! Not my own private pool, we share with the other home owners here but it's never crowded and we can go for as little or as long as we want without problems. Get hungry, just walk home real quick and grab a snack. NO PROBLEMS!

I have found lots and lots of people! People are in abundance here in Singapore. Population is over 5 million so chances are you will find someone to chill with. I like to people watch and Singapore has a lot of it for me! All these people have their own little stories and their own little lives. They are all unique and they all live on this great Island.

I have found so many nationalities here. It's amazing really. There are Chinese, Japanese, Malay, Indonesian, Australian, European, Irish, American, Latino, Scottish, Korean and so many more I haven't even MET yet. I love how all these cultures and all these nationalities can blend so well together. How there is respect for all the differences and also a great acceptance of all the differences.

Along with the different nationalities I have found different accents. I can't even pick a favorite. It's not uncommon to hear 5 or more different accents when out and about. Heck, even just a quick lunch with friends can have me hearing at least 3 accents, that doesn't count mine but does count the Texan! Just picking the kids up from school is the same way. It's like an accent store!

I have found that I can relearn so many things. Mostly out of necessity but I CAN DO IT! Singapore has had a lot of things I have to relearn or I'd seriously go crazy. Things I thought I'd never have to learn, like math. I may complain about the metric system and converting pounds to kilos but I learned it! I have also learned bits and pieces of Mandarin Chinese, yes you really can teach an old dog new tricks.

I have found some of THE BEST thunder storms I have ever heard! These thunderstorms can shake your windows AND your marble floors! I love the way the thunder vibrates through the air and the lightning shines so brightly! And sometimes I still jump when the lightning strikes too close.

I have also found that I love traveling, even more than I previously thought. I love how close we are to so many things here in Singapore and I have a list a mile long of all the things I never knew I wanted to see. And now they are becoming a must see!

I have found that my kids adjust better than me but also voice their problems better than me.

I have found that the stress of an international move is hard on a marriage but can also be very, very good for it.

And I have found great friends. Friends that no matter where we end up in this crazy world that I know we will always have the common background of Singapore.

Missing

2011-05-17T11:52:00.002+08:00

A few weeks ago a good friend of mine from Utah asked me what I missed and she could send me it as a little treat. I started thinking about all the things I really miss. Most things I have missed I have found a good substitution for so this was a little harder for me than I expected. If she had asked me this same question 4 months ago I would have easily answered it but now, 6 months into our 24 month stint I had to stop and think. That was nice, not having missing things right away but here's what I came up with as to things I miss.....

*I miss that a friends house is a 20 minute cab ride or a meet up at a crowded restaurant. I miss that I can't just "pop on over".
* I miss just driving, no math involved to convert distance of 3 meters or kilometers to the miles I am use to.
* I miss the US metric system. I have had to get use to grams, liters, kilos, pints and some others I can't remember instead of my usual pounds or quarts. I have to convert many recipes before I begin cooking and my new kitchen scale is VERY handy!
* I miss Fahrenheit. Celsius is weird and always sounds cold.
* I miss the taste of real honest to goodness American fat milk! Without having to pay 5- 10 SGD for a tiny little pint. P.S. Still doesn't taste American.
* I miss big huge aisles where people aren't touching my butt and I don't feel like a bull in a china shop.
* I miss marks on my butter telling me in TABLESPOONS not GRAMS where to cut it, again thank you kitchen scale!
* I miss driving in miles per hour and not kilometers per hour. Although when we are going 100KPH Jake thinks we are speeding, we aren't. Well not too much.
* I miss doing a load of laundry in 1.5 hours per LOAD and not the 4-5 I am currently living with. Getting all my laundry done in one day is a distant memory!
* I miss not having to think about which side of the road I need to be on when I do drive. Turning can be a problem if there is no arrows for me. I really have to stop and think!
* I also miss riding on the right side of the car and not the left side. Someday I WILL walk to the correct door. SOMEDAY!
* I miss texting, I hate saying SMS which is really the same thing but I miss saying "text me" and having others understand me.
* I miss carpet. It was much easier to just vacuum it up and move along. You can see all the dirt on my floor at all times. It's GROSS!
* I miss a swiffer. Too much to mop up here to make it economical but somedays it would be soooooo nice!
* I miss hopping in the car and going. I love the cabs, they are my best friend but when something is forgotten at home it's so much easier to just "swing back home" or get in the car and drop it off at school. It just takes a little more planning for the cabs.
* I miss that I have to think of everything I need. I have had to refigure out the best bread, dish soap, laundry soap, cereals and milk all over again. If there is the option of an American brand it is just way to expensive to buy.
* I miss knowing where to go for items. We have been looking for rubber bands the last few days and they are NO WHERE! Not in office supplies or kitchen supplies or at the bookstore. Or craft items, even the big craft store doesn't always have what I want or need.
* I miss not having to pay an arm and a leg for particular items. Last week mod podge cost me $25 SGD. Wanted it so I got it. NEVER would have happened at "home".
* I miss not having to do time conversions. From Singapore time to Utah time gets tiring somedays. But I just found a cool conversion tool on facebook that may become my new best friend.

So, I miss lots of things. Most of them made my life simpler. Some I thought were necessities but I found myself not needing them as much or learning to live without. It's all in perspective. I have found some very good substitutes and many things that I will miss about Singapore when I leave here. But that is for another post. And to my good friend Amberlie, thank you for even thinking of me. You made my heart happy.

The bus wave

2011-05-11T09:03:00.000+08:00

The kids take a bus to school here. We only have one car and since they go to 2 different schools the logistics are a pain to figure out. So, they take a bus. Grey gets to the bus on his own and can get off the bus on his own. With Jake and Natalie I have to take them to the bus and then be there to pick them up. Every morning they make sure that I am going to stay as the bus leaves so they can wave as it goes down the road. EVERY SINGLE MORNING! I haven't missed one yet but I guess there is always a possibility. This is what I see every morning as the bus takes off....

Pictures are courtesy of my friend Malia over at Postcards from Singapore. Thanks Malia!

15 amazing facts about Greyson!

2011-05-08T09:20:00.000+08:00

1. He grows a great beard for only being 15.
2. He is super smart.
3. He is too hard on himself when he doesn't get perfect grades.
4. He is very kind.
5. He only likes vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce but not chocolate ice cream.
6. He once tried to be a vegetarian. He'll probably try it again.
7. He has traveled to D.C, Nebraska, Oregon, San Francisco, Singapore, Indonesia and India. And has loved every one of them.
8. He has a wicked sense of humor.
9. He is not afraid to be true to himself no matter what.
10. He has made us all a Dr. Who fan.
11. He is funny when mom and dad are gone and he watches Jake and Nat. (Jake volunteered this one)
12. He has good taste in music and will one day appreicate disco!
13. He is a very easy teenager and we hope to keep it that way.
14. He keeps an open mind on most things. And he has good opinions on other things.
15. He is a great part of this family!

Taurus The Bull

2011-05-04T10:03:00.004+08:00

The stars tell me that I am a Bull, a Taurus.

Taurus Traits include the light side:

Patient and reliable
Warmhearted and loving

Persistent and determined

Placid and security loving

Or the dark side:

Jealous and possessive

Resentful and inflexible

Self-indulgent and greedy

Now, I don't believe in a lot of this hooey. I do look at my horoscope from time to time and laugh or think about it. According to this ancient tradition my husband I don't mix AT ALL, he's an Aries which makes us both stubborn. Okay, I also get a little jealous but doesn't everyone and not just us Taurus'?

The only thing I think I have in common with my birth sign is that I am like a bull in a china shop!
I have no grace, no delicacy and I am sooo not agile! NOT one little bit. This has never been more abundantly clear to me than the last few months of living here in Singapore. I have had at least one bruise on each part of my body because I have either ran into something, fallen on something or being whacked by something! I am not making this up! I am unable to walk through a regular grocery store aisle here without hitting at least 2 things! And that is on a good day. I am the person they follow throughout the store yelling "clean up, aisle 3".

That's just the grocery store, never mind going to China town where the aisles are half the size of my hips Then I have to walk sideways and hope that I don't knock over any "ancient" artifacts that have been mass produced. Little India is worse, there are so many people there that I am always on someones toes or worse yet hands! I have backed into so many people that half of little India has touched my bum, most as just an innocent bystander. And one day I scared the poop out of a bird while just tripping along the road! That was a smelly clean up. True story for another post.

I can't even get a pedicure without knocking something over like a lamp or falling over something! Just ask Andrea, don't worry she's use to answering LOTS of questions! She can also vouch for my grocery woes. I haven't spilt their tray of color wheels for the pedicures, YET, but I feel it coming on! I also know that it is only a matter of time before the hot tea they give me will find it's way onto the floor, or worse the pedicurist, because it's me and that's what I do!

My husband and I don't dance together because it's usually me stepping on his toes and getting knees in uncomfortable places. He still wants to dance with me though, just shows how crazy he is! When I tell my husband I'm going to paint he gets out paint smocks for him and the kids! This happened last Valentines day in the U.S. but you can see why he is afraid! I was just painting!

I really wish I had just one little ounce of grace and agility. It can get very embarrassing at times when things are falling all around you and you have no idea why. Or when you come home with a fresh bruise on your hip and your husband asks "what did you run into today?". It's even worse being surrounded by all these delicate and tiny Chinese women and men while you tower over them and stomp on them or run into them. I'm really not trying to hurt them, I just can't move!

Singapore really makes me feel like a Bull! But I'm learning to live with it. As long as I don't get the other dark side characteristics of a Taurs I will be just FINE.

Half of my life

2011-04-29T10:29:00.001+08:00

Next month I'll not only be celebrating my Birthday but I will also be celebrating the month I met my husband, 19 years ago! So, officially I will have been with my husband for 1/2 of my life!

He officially will know me better than my mom or sisters. He has put up with more of my crap than anyone else and he still loves me.
He's seen me change from a struggling 19 year old college student to a semi-confident mother of 3 and wife of 1.
He's seen wrinkles appear on my face, sunspots on my arms and still keeps his mouth shut if he has ever seen a gray hair.
He's seen my weight go up and down, along with my emotions. And he still can't keep his hands off me!
He has shared my heartbreaks, frustrations and best of all my joys!
He has supported me in dozens of ideas even when he thought they were silly. Sometimes they don't work and he's still proud of me!
He has moved me from Nebraska to Idaho to Utah and now to Singapore.
He's given me 3 of the best children in the world.
He doesn't make me feel old. With him I feel young and dumb again!
He lightens my day with his sexy little smirk.
He's made me more confident and allowed me to shine. Even if at times he has had to take a backseat.

We have done so much together, celebrated so much, cried over so many things but there isn't a better partner I'd want on this roller coaster of life.The best part is that we have alot of fun together! We enjoy eachother. I chose a great partner to spend my life with, this last half has been great! I hate getting older but knowing that he's been beside me through 1/2 of my life makes this Birthday so much better.

Carrot cake?

2011-04-24T11:02:00.000+08:00

Since moving to Singapore I have seen many hawker stands selling fried Carrot cake.There is always a Q (line up) to get a slice so I assumed it must be delish! Now, I'm not usually a carrot cake lover but when you miss the familiar of "home" sometimes you want something that just reminds you of home. SO, I thought that I'd save this fried carrot cake for a nice Easter treat.
As Easter approached I mentioned my goal to my husband and he informed me that fried carrot cake a la Singapore style is NOT the same as carrot cake a la American style. So, I did some research and it is SO NOT THE SAME!

American carrot cake is made with real ORANGE carrots, pecans and a bunch of other yummy things that make it cakey and delish! Then it is followed up by cream cheese frosting and NOTHING can beat that! I'm sure Americans line up in some areas just for a slice of this yummy cake. American carrot cakes look something like this.....

Fried Carrot cake a la Singapore style is also called Chai Tow Kway and is made with WHITE RADISHES! Or as they call them Singapore carrots. The radish is mixed much like a regular cake with flour and water but is stirred in a pan while cooking to make the cake.Then the cake is stir fried with eggs, garlic and spring onions sometimes even some dried shrimp for texture! Singaporeans eat this cake for breakfast, lunch, dinner and an anytime snack! Fried carrot cake looks something like this....

I'm so glad that I did some research before I ordered this Carrot Cake or I would have had a HUGE surprise!

I'm told when cooked right it really is delicious but I'm not sure I want to try it yet.

Next time I feel like a carrot cake though I think I'll just bake one American style!

I even got ice cream!

2011-04-20T15:45:00.000+08:00

Penguin friend ready for surgery

Jake had oral surgery this week. We went in a week ago because he was complaining of a VERY sore tooth. I went to get him from school and he was in the nurses office because it hurt so bad.

First step...we went to the dentist. Jake HATES the dentist, scared out of his mind of the dentist and really for no apparent reason. We had the incentive program working, otherwise known as bribery. He actually did really good. They took a full x-ray and even looked in his mouth without so much as a whimper! I was so relieved.

BUT, we needed to make another appointment with an oral surgeon because the tooth was cracked and needed to be removed.

Next step...pediatric oral surgeon. Let me just say she is GREAT! She was so kind and gentle with Jake and he ate. it. up! He even got to watch TV while in the chair and was very willing to spit in the spitoon they have. The surgeon pointed out Jake's "extra" tooth that was impending the progress of losing teeth (he's only lost one and he's 8). She suggested that we remove the extra tooth, the top two teeth that should be gone already, a bottom one that won't fall out and was starting to look infected and finally the cracked molar that started this whole thing! 5 teeth in all needed to be removed. We scheduled a surgery to put him under to make it easy on all of us.

Final step....Medical center for surgery. Jake was a little scared but he did what he needed to do and faced his fears. He is now 5 teeth short but 4 stitches. It went easier than the surgeon thought and was done in 45 minutes and not the 90 she thought. He took a little longer to wake up but he even got ice cream so all was well. However, he threw all that up when we pulled into the parking structure for home. It did not stop him from eating the Ben and Jerry's I got for him later though.

Natalie is quite impressed with him if not a little jealous of all the attention. Jake is pretty proud of his emtpy mouth. He has only taken pain meds once since the surgery and was bouncing around the house at 2 AM, just a few hours past surgery! I kept him home but he's still bouncing and talking non-stop. We had to do some research on why he needed an IV and why the happy gas smells funny. Otherwise, he really should be at school. The surgeon wanted him to take 4 days off for relaxing but he's wanting to swim so I think he's fine!

before surgery

Getting ready to go in with Daddy

smile before surgery

smile the next day after surgery

Bintan Lagoon

2011-04-20T10:11:00.000+08:00

Our first family vacation since arriving in Singapore was Bintan, Indonesia. It's on the South China Sea and it was AWESOME!

Ferry ride there

kids and traveling gnome with the Sea behind them

Grey loved the archery

Bob got some golfing in

Grey and his Dr. Who sunglasses

Good times!

It was a nice and relaxing trip. We might just have to go back and check out some of the tours they had. We just stayed in the resort area and hung at the pools or the beach most of the time. We did get a round of laser tag in and I think it's become our new favorite family game. All of us really liked it but not as much as the beach.

Jake's favorite part

2011-04-11T16:26:00.000+08:00

Today we went to the ocean and i wanted to biuild a sandcastle. I first found a nice spot and i started to biuild a sandcastle. By Jake

So, my idea was to let all the kids write their own posts but they all decided they were too cool for my blog!

Digging in the sand was definitely Jake's favorite part. He's always loved building in the sand. He was also very good at telling all of us what to do when we came out of the water to help.

South China Sea Day 1

2011-03-28T15:07:00.001+08:00

Today we went on the boat to bintan. It was so fun because we got to go outside on the boat. When we got to the hotel we went exploring the hotel grounds and went to see the beach. Than we went to see if our room was ready than we got in our swim-suits on and went to the beach and it was so salty! After we showered off we went to the pool. After the pool we went to our room and watched Dr.Who. This was our first day in bintan. This was Natalie telling you about our first day. My favorite part was going to the beach, pool, and riding on boat. The gnome you see is henry the family gnome. We take him on vacations, well going to. My aunt Theresa gave him to us for 2 years.

Everybody Loves Relaxing

2011-03-21T18:06:00.000+08:00

There are alot of things here that are harder than in Utah. I still struggle with some of them from time to time but not as much as I struggled at the beginning. But that might be because I have found the BEST cure of all those trying times.

Massages

Yes, that is me laying around in a very nice recliner after getting both a back and shoulder massage, head and face massage and just starting on my foot massage. This is the cure for all that ails you. Trust me!

You can get just about any type of massage you want here and at a good price too! Food may be extremely expensive but those massages fit my pocket book!

This massage is at My Happy Feet in Holland Village. It also has spa fish for your feet. Which is also a really nice indulgence while here in Singapore. There are times when things are hard but honestly......

Everybody Loves Relaxing

If an 8 year old can So can you!

2011-03-14T10:07:00.001+08:00

My Jake, who just recently turned 8 is writing a blog at school! Friday I got to read some of his posts and some of the things he has been learning about blog etiquette.

I do think that learning how to be nice and polite in a web based world is an important part of any teaching. Whether it comes from school or home, we should all learn how to correctly communicate through the web. Jake is only learning about blog etiquette right now but these rules should hold true for instant messaging and texting too.

So, for all my lovely readers both real and anonymous, I would like to go over some blog etiquette rules that we can all work on, including me.

Rule #1 BE respectful. This one is for both the poster and the reader/commenter. Don't write a post that could potentially be negative to a person or a group of people. If you are responsible enough to have a blog you should be responsible enough to think of the feelings of others.

Rule #2 Don't engage in an online argument or invoke personal attacks. If someone does not agree with your post that is fine and dandy. We are all allowed to have our own opinions but arguing in the comment section makes you both look ignorant and mean.

Rule #3 Make your comments worthwhile. Think about the comments you want to leave, are they kind? Do they stick to the subject? Is your comment a personal attack? What did you like about the post? If you can not make a nice comment it is best to move on and wait for a post you can comment nicely on.

Rule #4 Update your blog on a regular basis. If someone is taking their time to read your blog you should be courteous enough to post regularly. I myself struggle with this one and will try better for my few dedicated readers.

Rule #5 Respond to your comments on your blog. Again, take the time to let the commenter know that you care what they said and that you took the time to read what they had to say. Try to say something nice about their comment.

These are my top 5 rules, My 8 year old is learning a few different rules but these ones pertain to my blog and what I want to portray on my own little personal web space.

Knowing someone in real life and knowing someone through their blog are 2 very different things. I know that this blog of mine is only a snippet of my life and that my sons is only a snippet too (he really doesn't play Club Penguin ALL DAY!) Presuming that you know someone because you read their blog is not accurate, however, if you want to get to know them more then meet them if at all possible. I met one of my most favorite people through her blog.

You may not know these people personally but be courteous be respectful. If you wouldn't say it to someones face don't say it on a blog comment!
I think it all goes back to that golden rule...

Do unto others as you would do unto yourself.

God sure knows what he's talking about!

My Job

2011-02-28T16:22:00.001+08:00

So, what exactly does a busy housewife do? Well, let's take a look with pictures. Shall we?

She doesn't do all the Windows as she should.

Nor, does she do the dirty toilets, as she should. Not this housewife!

Neither does she do the laundry she has piling up.

This housewife doesn't even THINK of doing the dirty dishes!

NOPE! Not this housewife, she goes to the pool and enjoys a nice swim!

It's a tough job but someone's gotta do it!

Got Grass?

2011-02-22T17:34:00.000+08:00

This is my backdoor

Do you see the grass?

Yep, just grows right through the gaps in my doors.
Even the contractor laughed and said, "now animals just come right in".
Not very funny because that is EXACTLY what they do!
You should see it when they come and do my "yard"
there is grass ALL over my kitchen floor!
Interesting things here in Singapore

8 reasons Jake makes me smile!

2011-02-17T15:33:00.000+08:00

8. He is always going. Even when he sleeps some part of him is twitching.
7. He has gorgeous blue eyes.
6. Whenever I have a bad day he is the first to hug me.
5. He can play a joke on anyone without breaking a smile.
4. He is super smart even if he doesn't think so.
3. He loves all animals, even snakes.
2. He will try new things even if he is scared at first.
1. He is the perfect ending to our family.

Perseverance

2011-02-12T13:11:00.001+08:00

Yesterday the kids had sports day at their school. They get to dress in the color of the House they were assigned and forgo the uniforms. They compete all day and gather points as they play all the games and have fun!

The afternoon was all about running activities. Natalie doesn't like running very much and hates it when her legs turn to jello. However, she knew her team needed points to win so she volunteered to run the 4 laps. Even though she HATES running.

Here she is just starting out for the Yellow team. I love the determination on her face. A few of the girls stopped and walked after the 2nd lap including Natalie but one 4th grade REALLY took off and lapped the walkers. Well, when the first girl won the others that were behind just stopped even though there was a lap left. But Natalie knew there was still a lap left and she continued to run her last lap! Everyone cheered her on and she got an extra point for her team! I was so proud of her! Even though she finished "last" she finished and with the WHOLE school watching her.

She held it together and broke down after she finished and cried to me. She was worried she would get made fun of for being last or being the only one running. It is such a hard lesson to learn to be proud of who you are no matter what others might say or do. I hope she always perseveres, no matter how hard it may be or how much you hate it. I am very, very proud of her!

This is from a motivational poster I bought when we first got to Singapore and some things were hard. Yesterday, watching her run I only thought of Natalie.

Perseverance: The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength , not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will.

Thank you for teaching me yet again Natalie. I love you.

Monkeys, Monkeys everywhere

2011-02-09T11:51:00.000+08:00

A few weeks ago a friend took me to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. We went to see the monkeys and not to hike the highest hill here in Singapore which is 163.3 m high or 535 feet up. There are a TON of them at the reserve and they are not scared of humans at all so they tend to get very close to you.

The first time I went there was one cheeky little monkey that tried to pee on me! See his picture over there, that's all I saw of him. He didn't just try once he tried a SECOND TIME! He missed both times but I think we're engaged or something.

So, I couldn't wait to take the kids back and see how close you can really get to these mischievous little animals. This last Thursday Bob was actually home with us for once so we took the kids over to look. There was NOT a monkey in sight and I was disappointed. I still think it is very cool to see these animals so close without going to the zoo. Anyways we decided to explore other parts of the nature reserve.

we found a slide

a rock quarry and true love

two swimming turtles

a small zipline for the kids

and wierd things growing out of trees

And on our way back down we finally saw the monkeys! And they were all over, from the tops of the buildings to the tops of the cars and every tree that was in that reserve! The kids LOVED it!

we are parked across from that car

how close we actually get

close up of the car riding monkeys

and our favorite one with the mohawk.

It really was a fun time. I've always loved monkeys and it is so cool seeing them in their natural habitat. Sometimes you'll see poeple running and they just run right past the monkeys. I love driving here and waiting for the whole family to cross the street. Singapore has had alot of trouble with monkeys because of us silly humans feeding them. So there is a big campaign to NOT feed the monkeys. I also know that monkeys can be very dangerous so we observed more than anything but you should always be careful around ANY animal.

Look out world

2011-02-05T12:40:00.001+08:00

Greyson is gone to Southern India this week as part of his school's curriculum. I love that they have these trips to help the kids become more globally aware but I hate missing part of my family. He was so excited to go and I really am excited to send him on. It's hard putting your kids life into someone elses hands and this time to a whole other country! But I'm so excited to hear of his adventures and to see how it impacts him. He will be seeing major poverty and major commercialism all in one trip and in between he is visiting Auroville which is very "hippie" as the teacher who is the chaperone put it.

This isn't the first time Grey has been on a trip without us. The first time was in 2007 when he was just 11. He went to Washington D.C. with a group called People to People. He was one of 4 nominated from his 5th grade class. The trip was at the beginning of his 6th grade year. He had a blast! That was our first time letting him go by himself. It was hard then but I still had plenty of years left with him so it didn't bother me as much. It was great to see how much he had changed in just a nwith a little trip to D.C.

The next year he got an invitation from People to People again. But this time it was for a European trip through Wales. Grey has always loved Wales for some reason so we started fundraising to get him on this trip. However, the economy crashed and pocket books closed. We did make half the money needed so we rolled it over to another trip for him. This time to Stanford on a leadership summit. Once again, he came home just a little bit changed. He loved it and it was so great seeing how much he changes through these little trips.

He is a good little traveler and really enjoys it. When we started discussing if we wanted to come to Singapore he was one of the first to say yes. He actually enjoyed the flight from the U.S. to Singapore. He makes traveling look easy. For me, this time is harder. I know I have few precious years with him, something I was blind to on the first few trips. I know these are good for him and I know he learns so much. But I also know that my life is now in that stage where I have to let go more so that he can survive without me. Not that I want to but I have to for him. I have had to do family outings without part of my family because otherwise we'll never do anything. It is very hard for me and he has been missed by all of us. We even had to eat expensive steak last night because we missed him so much.

When he comes home he'll have that glitter in his eye that he's learned something, that something has touched him. He'll be a diffferent person then he was just a week ago. And that I would never deny him. That is the part that makes all this worth it! He loves it, he's good at and the world should look out because I don't think he's done exploring yet. I hope he never is, even if it means I cry sometimes and my heart hurts. I wouldn't change it.

The weather outside is.....

2011-02-03T17:44:00.002+08:00

GORGEOUS! I guess that also depends on where you are in the world. From where I sit it is a beautiful 30 degrees...that's celsius so it converts to about 86 degrees Fahrenheit. See look at the view from my balcony here in Singapore

and then you can also look at the weather from my friend Andrea's blog or if you still want a good look at the weather here you can look at my friend Leone's blog post...both are also here in Singapoore. Go ahead and click it, you know you want to.

Some of my friends and family are getting stuck with a major snowstorm back in The States. They are dealing with temperatures of 30 below zero and that is NOT in celsius. I heard my one sister is shoveling her driveway every 4 hours. She's dedicated that one. Even though I tease I hope all is well. I'll sit in my pool and pray for their safety. LOL

I do not have any friends from Australia, yet. Well, Leone is from there but she lives in Singapore. However, they have also been pounded by a massive Cyclone much like a hurricane.

Even though my tropical paradise is wonderful I hope all others stay safe and protected.

Shí or 10

2011-01-26T08:59:00.002+08:00

Ten things I love about Natalie. Numbers are also in Mandarin because I need to practice.

1 yī -- She always tries new things, even if she is a little scared at first. She is our only child that has ate the octopus.

2 èr -- She can be both a tomboy and a girly girl and knows it's okay to be anything you want.

3 sān -- She burps better than my boys!

4 sì -- She is very loving and giving and is willing to help whenever needed.

5 wǔ -- She has a great smile, and pout too.

6 liù -- She's funny without even trying.

7 qī -- She will make friends with anyone anywhere!

8 bā --She learns things very quickly. She may drag her feet at first but when she decides to do it she does it with a full heart! And she succeeds.

9 jiǔ -- She is very artistic. She loves taking pictures, making movies, styling clothes, drawing pictures, making books, dancing, singing, if it's artsy she likes it.

10 shí -- She has the most tender heart and is always aware of other people's feelings and will sometimes put her feelings to the side to make someone else happier. Sometimes it hurts her to do this but she does. She continually practices kindness even if I think that person may not deserve it. Again, She's still teaching me things.

Reasons

2011-01-24T11:02:00.009+08:00

My daughter Natalie turns 10 this week. She is wonderful and she is trying. I love her with all my heart and can't imagine my life without her even when she is in the midst of a tantrum and I'm trying not to pull all my hair out.

She is my biggest reminder that all things happen in time. That there are reasons why things don't always work out in my time but in God's time. Here's why...

Way back in 1998 we decided we wanted to try and have another baby. We got pregnant so easily and accidentally with Greyson so of course I figured it would be easy. How wrong I was.....

Month after month and nothing! Our lives starting being lived in 2 weeks increments. 2 weeks for ovulation, 2 weeks to see if it "worked". I became a little obssessed. It was not fun. Then we did end up pregnat. YEAH! and 8 weeks later we miscarried. This was my first one and it was devastating. I took it very hard and knew it was something I had done wrong at some point in my life. It took me sometime to go move on and try again. Only to get pregnant again and miscarry again...this time after seeing the heartbeat which I understood was rare. But it happens. Both times we miscarried was under 12 weeks and it is very common just not talked about alot.

So, Bob and I moved on. I feeling like a failure and that my body was turning against me. I started believing that Greyson would be my only child and I felt so sad. Bob couldn't fix this one and it was hard on him. Because we were young and didn't have a full history of miscarriages there wasn't much to do yet. We just kept trying.

We got pregnant again and I was the world's biggest basket case. I was so worried to do anything because I thought I'd miscarry again. I knew in my heart that there was nothing I could do but my head wasn't so sure. We made it past 12 weeks and all the way up to 38 weeks! Every step of the way I was worried and just knew something was going to happen but we finally had our sweet little Natalie in 2001!

It really wasn't that long of a time but when you are in the midst of everything it feels like an eternity! Now it just seems like life. We joke with Natalie that she was our slowest child. Took as a long time to get pregnant with her and then even her labor was the longest of the 3 kids. We nicknamed her slow poke Sally in Kindergarten because she was always the last one out of school and just took her time. She still does. It's part of Natalie and I love it.

She has taught me so much but the best thing she taught me is that all good things come in time. Not always on my schedule and not always when I want it but when the time is right. My life would not be the same without her and at exactly the time she came to us. She is my best reminder to be patient. That I may not know the reasons why things happen but I will be glad in the long term. Now she is teaching me more patience and more understanding. My life really wouldn't be the same without her.

The force in Taiwan

2011-01-14T19:24:00.002+08:00

We are all a big lover of Star Wars in the house. We use little references every now and then from the movies, Jake was a storm trooper for halloween twice and I have a long standing crush on Anakin right before he becomes Darth Vader. See how much we love it?

So over Christmas break whenever Greyson wanted something done he'd tell either Jake or Natalie that they should "go, fulfill your destiny" sometimes he'd call them little padawans, you know the name for the young Jedi's in training. Jake and Natalie just ate this up and LOVED it! They ended up doing so many things for Greyson it was ridiculous.

One day we are walking out of an elevator and Natalie beats Greyson to the usual saying and says....Go, Greyson fulfill your destiny little Taiwan! So it's become a great family joke and we all aim to be little Taiwans.

Moral dilemma

2011-01-11T07:29:00.000+08:00

I'm embellishing here a little but not too much! So, if this conversation happened in your house how would you react?
Wife: My house needs cleaned.
Husband: The house is always a mess you need to clean better.
Wife: Look of frustration but ignores comment
Husband: Look, let me help you out. I'll clean and get it all looking good and all you have to do is maintain.

Would your husband still have his life? This wife runs a successful daycare and has 5 children of her own! Seriously, MAINTAIN?

Struggles

2011-01-06T16:57:00.001+08:00

Singapore has brought us alot of struggles. It's not all beaches and margaritas unfortunatley. One of my biggest struggles has been my relationship with my kids. It changed just a little and not for the better!
I use to be someone who LOVED having their kids around even when they did get on my nerves. I was just greatful to have them around. I LOVED spending time with them, especially since they started going to school and my time with them is few and far between. I think I lived more for breaks and summer vacation than they did! And I cried every single first day of school. As other mothers were rejoicing I was sitting at home nursing my broken heart. I missed their fights and their whining. Not every day was roses but I genuinly loved spending time with my kids. Somedays we'd never talk to eachother but I heard the things they were doing and it made my heart glow.
Then, we moved to Singapore....cue bad, scary music.

I really could not stand to be around them. I counted the days before they went back to school. I rejoiced every Monday morning and dreaded every Monday night. I HAVE NEVER BEEN THAT MOM! It scared me. I was ashamed of myself for not enjoying my kids. Every night was a struggle just to get to bedtime and every morning was a struggle just to get to school. I found nothing to be proud of, when I use to find anything no matter how small! I struggled, they struggled.
I thought Thanksgiving break would be good for us and get us back to normal. I didn't schedule anything but family time. Games and dinners...together. We ALL needed to rebond. It sucked. We all wanted our own thing in our own time and we wanted it NOW! We had forgot how to be a family and it made me so sad. I really do pride myself on how awesome my family usually is. I started thinking that this move is going to be the undoing of my family. I was really at a crossroads. My kids were hurting and I needed to do something.
SO, I started talking to the kids about how it's okay to miss friends or the states. I got out a few times, made new friends and encouraged the kids to do the same and let them know they weren't being traitors to their other friends. We all talked about how different it is here and were amazed at how some of our struggles were all the same. Granted they still got on my nerves and somedays I had to reach hard to enjoy them, but reach I did. And I felt like we were getting back on track.
And then Christmas break started approaching and I got scared. What if this break is as sucky as the last? Will it hurt all the progress we've made? Can we just skip break?
B U T..
I am glad to say that it was great! We have enjoyed eachother again. We've grown together and struggled together and that's what families do. I haven't done anything I should have over break and I've let so many other things slide. We've explored parts of Singapore together and cheered eachother on as we tried new things. IT HAS BEEN GREAT! my heart is singing again. They've argued and fought me and whined but in the more normal way. The way that I expect and know how to deal with. That is my best Christmas present.

Toot, Toot, Toot!

2010-12-30T12:47:00.000+08:00

I'm going to be tooting the horn of one of my most adorable friends here today. She is way too busy making things like this...

and like this.....

to toot her own horn. Oh, and making me chocolate goodbye parties that look like this....

She is da' bomb diggity of all bomb diggities! SO it is up to me as her most adorable friend! I dedicate my 200th post to you Canesa!

She is a great party planner! Not only was mine AWESOME she has done a full Candyland theme for her oldest daughter's FIRST birthday! All the way down to a life sized map! Seriously, Canesa post the picture in the comments! Canesa doesn't just do a fruit bowl, no, she makes the WHOLE dang bowl and then bedazzles it and then decorates the fruit with sparkles. Okay, that may be overboard but take my word for it, she knows how to entertain! She also makes it look effortless. I'm the one who puts the bowl on the table and forgets the fruit and then has to lay down from all the hard work!

She just found her magnificent talent in woodworking. I think her husband is a little jealous of her talents because he "grounded" her from making more for awhile. Jealous much Burt? LOL! And her first project was this.....

Made totally from scratch, except for the bedding! She didn't work herself up to it, she started with this HUGE project! I hear she did 28 other little projects for Christmas. I'm sure she built someone a house and is just too humble to say so!

She is my favorite decorator. Not only did she do this room, while her husband was

hunting .......

she also helped me do this room of mine...........

she was also a great consultant on other rooms in my Utah house, while my husband was gone for work. I've missed her much here in Singapore. Funny thing is she was always over at my house helping me decorate that her husband joked that her and I were married. Haha Burt, I'd totally marry her! She redoes a room in her house at least once a month! And it always looks amazing! And not only does she re-do a room but the rest of her house is spotless along with a homemade dinner, I think she is secretly

She-ra princess of power!

Have I mentioned that she is also an athlete? She has trained and ran in a triathlon, all while her 3rd child was a baby. Seriously, she found the time and did it while always looking like a goddess! And while she was training for this triathlon she also did some major biking like miles and miles of biking! I watched her kids because I'm seriously allergic to exercise. Canesa pushed herself and learned to swim during her triathlon training. Just goes to show that you can always learn something new! I love her determination.

But I think her best accomplishment is the 4 beautiful and happy kids that she is raising. And three of those kids are under 4 with one of them being almost 1! She has done this all with 3 kids at home and one a pre-teen. AND she does it with a smile and a hug and she totally loves it! Along with her immaculately kept home and home made dinners that are fantastic.

I sit here crying because I miss her. I miss her silly stories and calling me when she finds a birds nest on her door, I miss just knowing she is a hop, skip and jump away. I miss our wild shoe buying escapades. This post has been hard for me to write but Canesa, I love you. I hope this ends your year with a bang. I'm sorry I didn't get that fruitcake over to you this year. LOL. I'm so proud that you continue to be my friend when I continue to desert you for a silly job or moving across the world.

Fra ra ra ra rah rah rah rah rah....

2010-12-29T16:46:00.002+08:00

That is my favorite line from A Christmas Story. Especially now that we are here in Singapore with Asians and we've had the duck here and it actually does come with the head attached! Plus, it reminds me just a little of my American home.

Our first Christmas in Singapore has been celebrated, toys have been played with and broken and before we can get the lights out of the trees our kids have begun the gimmes AGAIN! They're my kids all the way! It's good to want as long as they know they aren't getting everything!

Of course the kids were spoiled and got too much stuff and so did I. I got both Jewelry AND a kindle. I also got one of the cutest Santa's ever to celebrate our first Christmas here.

Not much really seemed different except that we all were wearing shorts and t-shirts instead of warm and fuzzy jammies. The groundskeeper was sweeping the dead leaves which gave a nice background noise, and made my kids sad that he wasn't celebrating like us. Instead of snow gear the kids got swimming gear. Still chuckle over that one. It just feels weird to go swimming in DECEMBER and OUTSIDE! Not that I'm complaining.

The kids played with the Chinese neighbors next door for quite a while after opening presents. My most memorable quote will be the Chinese girl asking me "can I just ask you one question? did all of this cost you a fortune?" Yes, Chloe it did. And I"m a little ashamed of it, but probably do the same thing next year. I always do. The neighbors only get one present, one fairly expensive present but as Chloe told me..."I don't spend all my money, and my pocket change is growing". Maybe she can teach me.

I think it wa a success. NO one said they missed anything or wished we would still be in the States. We all enjoyed the day playing our new family games and eating too much candy. My favorite times are the times we all spend together, reconnecting and learning about eachother. It really was just another Christmas to us no matter where we are in the world. Hope all of yours was wondorous too.

Love

2010-12-16T10:25:00.000+08:00

This is me and my LOVE. With his love for me I have acheived things I never thought possible. This picture says so many things. It's a date night with my hubby here in Singapore in December. I look forward to my time alone with Bob. When life gets busy I sometimes forget that I really love his personality and just being with him. It's nice to go out and enjoy eachother and nourish the love that has kept us going for the last 18 years. With our love for eachother we have acheived both PEACE and JOY.

Peace

2010-12-12T19:03:00.000+08:00

All 3 of my kids quietly reading books and listening to my new Christmas music of Rodrigo Rodriquez. It was very peaceful! ONe of my favorite days.

Joy

2010-12-10T09:04:00.003+08:00

Yesterday I went to a church luncheon with some new found friends, Andrea and Jennifer.That's us on the side, aren't we cute?

Since this was a Christmas type of lunch the talk was about what brings you Joy. There are many things in my life that make me happy and even more things that I like. But things that truly bring me that unadulterated JOY? I had to think about that one. Of course I started thinking about big and grand things like walks on the beach, expensive vacations and the expensive hair and clothes to go along with it. As I continued throughout the night to think my most joyous moments are those that were small or are the little comforts of life. Here are some of the things that bring me Joy.

*Brand new socks on a cold night
*My kids laughing and just goofing off with them
*My husbands mischievous grin
*Finding an old friend
*Making a new friend
*Lazy time
*Accepting who you are
*Acquiring a new skill
*Swimming
*Music
*Snuggling, especially with the whole family

*Knowing that God created my husband just for me!

*Letting go of past hurts

*Finding something you thought was lost

*Getting lost in a good book or good movie

*Family game time

*Being needed by someone who isn't your child

*Making a difference in someones life

Joy to me are those things that I crave or look forward to. The things I want to create when I am down or need a good old pick me up. Like I said there are many things that make me happy but these are just some of the things that make me really enjoy my life. And this list would not be complete without adding one from the luncheon: Freshly cleaned sheets and cleanly shaved legs. That is very nice!

What brings you joy?

What Singapore has given me

2010-12-03T15:40:00.000+08:00

Yeah, We've only been here a few short weeks but already I'm reaping the benefits. Let's go through that list together shall we?
* Singapore has given me the opportunity to get fresh air while doing my laundry, some days I can even get rained on while moving my laundry around.
* Singapore has taught me what that little R on my drive shaft is for. The majority of parking in Singapore is all back up, rarely do I find a one I can drive into.
* Along that same line, Singapore is given me one heck of a strong neck from always looking back, and once in awhile I move my waist too just for the extra exercise. Maybe I'll lose some inches off my waist?
*My windshield of the car is VERY, VERY clean. This would probably be because I FORGET the blinker is on the right side and not the left side.
* Singapore has given me the chance to update my math skills by learning the metric system. I am slowly and painfully learning the difference between one kilogram and one pound. It's a difference! Who knew?
* Singapore allows me to not stick out as the worst driver in the world because I think all the drivers are bad here. If I ride the dotted line NO ONE honks at me, probably because they were too,
* Singapore has given me a new admiration for crocs. Not the animal one but the shoes. They are everywhere and you can bling them up with cute little buttons or leave them plan. They also have high heel crocs which I may have to try out.
* Singapore has allowed me to become closer to my oldest son. Anytime I want to talk to him I get to text him to come down the million stairs we seem to have so we can have a nice little chat because he is too tired to walk back up the stairs and so he might as well talk to me!
* Singapore taught me that even if the money comes in rainbow colors and varies in size according to the dollar amount it is still real money that my cute husband has earned for me.
* Singapore has shown me that white is beautiful because they all have this gorgeous Carmel colored skin but there are whitening products EVERYWHERE!
* I've realized while in Singapore that all nude statues of women MUST show the nipples in GREAT detail and that going into a place called Talk and Cock is for singing. (okay I didn't go, I just drive by it alot and get a chuckle from it)
* I know that if I ever have another child I don't need to breastfeed because you can buy colostrum at the local cold storage
*I have also learned that babies need spa time too and that it looks more like a Build a Bear workshop with all the little tubs and dryers.
* I've learned to always take an Umbrella and a one dollar coin. The first because it's inevitable that it will rain and the second because you can't get a trolley (cart) without putting in your coin.
* I now know that when someone says "Sure, Sure, you bet!" it means I need to re-explain because they really don't know what I'm talking about.

Cliff notes

2010-11-30T22:01:00.000+08:00

One of the things that happens when you move is you need to go make new friends. This use to be hard for me many years ago. I've gotten better at it and have gained some really great friends. I guess I've just been lucky to be put in the path of so many awesome people.
The one thing that I think should happen when you meet a new potential friend (P.F.) however is you need to give them notes, something like cliff notes. Like those ones you read in Highschool where you skimmed it looking for the important stuff instead of actually READING the book. Yeah, those ones, I hear they have them available for an audio download now.
These notes would have anything in it that creates the Unique story of you. Not because your story isn't worth reading, because it is, instead it would be just because there is so many years of story to be explained.
This would serve as the background of YOU! All the things that make you who you are! It would have pertinent information like age, hair color (real or fake), favorite foods and activities. Where you've lived, siblings, parents, children, etc., etc., etc. HMMM, I guess it would be very similar to an online dating ad!
Imagine meeting a new P.F. You realize that there are so many things you would love to talk to her about but you also realize that there's some background story that needs to be explained. VOILA! Handy little cliff notes all about YOU! She can read it all at once, take her time or just refer to it whenever you need her to be up to date on a certain story line.
When a problem arises and you go to your new P. F. there is no need to re-explain everything. Just give her chapter and verse of the cliff notes for her reference. She is up to date on your lifetime of woes. Problem with the In-laws but no time to catch up P.F. on all the logistics? Handy dandy P.F. Cliff Notes to the rescue! Have her read and call you back ASAP.
I'm really loving this idea. I really think it could work. What would you put in the cliff notes of your life?

Typecast

2010-11-30T09:46:00.000+08:00

Do you ever feel like you've been typecast. You know where no matter what you do, or say people are always going to think what they want of you? Yeah, that's where I am right now.
I've been typecast as this person who really has no feelings and cares very little of others. I've lived with it for awhile and always thought that I'd change those views. I've become similar to some desperate out of work actress. I thought I could become like Angelina Jolie. If she can change her image as a wild weirdo to a doting charitable mother than it should be easy for me.
How wrong I was.
To some people no matter what you do, what you say, how you behave they will always think the worst of you. They will assume you can't change and haven't changed. Maybe because it is easier for them to hold onto the past.
I really don't know.
I just know that I feel like no matter what I do certain people will always think the worst of me or that I'm putting on an act. Which is very ironic because for the last few years I'm the most genuine ME that I have ever been. I'm comfortable with who I am. I've learned from my past, I love my present and I look forward to the future me. The things I do and say are no longer an act.
What I need to start doing is just not caring as much because being typecast is a little suffocating to me. It hurts when I feel I've conquered the old type and moved on only to be shoved back to that role of mean, selfish and ungiving.
I have no ideas. I just know I hurt and I"m tired of it. If I quit caring does that not essentially change who I am? Maybe it is time to change that a part of me, that part that is a people pleaser, the one that looks for the applause. Maybe that's my lesson here and I haven't learned it.

One of my favorite things

2010-11-17T09:20:00.001+08:00

I'm not a person that goes to church every Sunday or even on special Holidays. I haven't actually been to church in years. (yes mom, I know I should visit God's house more than I visit your house). However, I am a very spiritual person. I believe in a God, whether it be Catholic, Mormon, Hindu, Muslim or any other God out there. You see God's presence everywhere on this earth and my life goes so much smoother when I just let God lead the way. He knows what he's doing even if I don't agree with it at the time.

So, One of my most favorite things since first coming to Singapore is how they incorporate all these different religions into daily life. It doesn't matter what religion you are or what God you believe in just as long as you believe. Some of the places of worship are so grand and beautiful, I need to go explore some of them more. Just walking or driving by some of them can have you feeling the presence of God.

This last week as I was driving I saw a regular 3 lane road become a one way road because people were parking on the road to go and pray. No one seemed bothered by traffic being so slow or that there were so many cars double parked. It is just a common way of life here. To me it was uplifting. I need to remember to take time and pray and thank God no matter where I am during the day. Who says God is only open on Sundays? Or even only in a church? Not only were the cars all lined up, and even some buses, but the shoes were all lined up outside the building. It felt very spirtual and really warmed my heart.

Today the kids are off of school for a public holiday. Hari Raya Haji is a muslim holiday about pilgrimage and sacrifice. More information can be found HERE and HERE. It shows a whole different side to the Muslim religion that not everyone knows about. I love how people who make the pilgrimage can get their white caps or songkoks and take the title of Haji for men and Haajjah for women. These are things I didn't know about but I am enjoying learning about. These are the things that I love showing my kids, how although we are all different we can all co-exist peacefully.

There are so many food places that are Halal friendly. Which means it is permissable for Islams to eat. These are usually next to or very near places that serve the beef or pork. At IKEA the other day there was a sign for a prayer room. IN IKEA! (picture is not that great)

I love that! I love showing my kids the tolerance and acceptance of the other religions and their practices. We don't have to believe what they believe but we should be respectful of their views.

That is just one of the many things that are becoming my favorites! I look forward to many more. Selemat Hari Raya - Peaceful celebration day.

I'm not going to lie

2010-11-15T10:10:00.000+08:00

So I checked with my Calendar and it seems we have been in Singapore for 6 full weeks now. I'm not gonna lie....it's been harder than I thought it would be. ALOT harder in many ways, but I really wouldn't change it. I still like the adventure I just hate the adjusting.

Like I was telling a new friend, take everything you know...all the old go to's for dinner, or discipline or easy dates and throw it out the window because either they don't work here or you just can't find what you need/want. My laundry is now halved for each load and takes 3 times as long! I don't have a dishwasher and have to turn on a heater for hot water, anywhere in the house! I can make pancakes but need to do the conversions from cups to milliliters, this is true on any of the cooking, my floors are all wood or marble and I can't find a mop that is worth it. It's those types of little things that by themselves would not be such a problem but put it all together and it just becomes overwhelming.

Those first couple weeks I felt like everyone wanted me to do the same things I had been doing in Utah to take care of everyone but it just wasn't possible here. Everyone was looking at me to do what I do and fix it, but I couldn't. I felt very inept. We didn't have all of our things and I was unsure where to get most of the other stuff. We did alot of online searching and going all over this Island to find anything and when we found some of our "regular comforts" we ended up paying more. Sometimes we couldn't find our old go to's so we've had to figure other things out. Singapore is very westernized in alot of ways and not so much in others. And it's those others that become too much some days. Those others are the things that stress you out and make you exhausted from just trying to figure it all out!

The thing is I knew it would be an adjustment, we all did and we were all prepared for it as best as we could. I guess I was unprepared for just how much I alone would have to adjust. There were a few days where all I did was lay in bed because the adjustments can be draining. A few days where I didn't want to think AT ALL and some days where I just wanted everyone to leave me alone and figure it out their damn selves! Other times where I've just cried or yelled at Bob because I am lost and don't know what else to do. Neither of us really understood why I was crying or yelling but he indulged me.

I didn't want to write that I had problems or how hard it can be because I don't want to sound like a whiner and I don't want anyone to worry but I can't lie, it's been hard many days. We've all had our ups and downs emotionally and have been struggling to find our new family rhythm. But don't worry, it's all part of the process. We are normal for once! I think we are getting the hang of it a little and we aren't yelling at eachother as much. I think there might be a light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm in an arranged marriage

2010-11-11T15:39:00.000+08:00

I decided I wanted to get a smart phone while we were here in Singapore. I heard about the navigation maps and I REALLY needed one of those! I am the world's worst navigator and the only reason I found malls is because of the smell! Truth be told, I've been lost in a mall a few times, and not as a kid!
So, I ask my sister's boyfriend, aka W, to help me pick a phone because he seems to know his electronical stuff. I decide to go with a HTC desire instead of the all popular Iphone 4 because of the android operating system...W said it was better so that's why.
I'm excited to get my phone and it takes almost 2 full weeks of being here to get it. I open the package all ready for it to start smarting me out. Oh and how it outsmarte me! I could barely turn it on! It took me a few days to figure out how answer a call and I'm still not sure how to add other people as a contact!

And texting! OMG!!! NIGHTMARE!!! I have fat fingertips and so I am always typing the wrong thing. My Jake has been renamed to James and my friend Vickie is now Dixie. My phone thinks it's so smart it redoes my typing! Stupid phone. I won't even talk about the sexts I wanted to send my hubby but somehow they got saved in my drafts and I can't even find the draft folder! If it accidentally gets posted to facebook I'm going to be mortified!

I figured out how to get to my mail in my phone and so I emailing my sister back and forth and feeling that "look at me! I'm all emailing on my phone, how cool am I?" feeling, man was a feeling AWESOME! We were just joking around when I went to go drop the f bomb, as usual and instead the smart powers of my phone turn it into DUCK! Not what I was looking for! See, not so smart!

I can use the calendar but sometimes it beeps at me for no apparant reason. I haven't even tried to set an alarm because I think I might start disarming nuclear missiles somewhere in the world. I have used the navigation feature once and let's just say I figured out what the arrow means after wandering around aimlessly for 40 minutes.

And then I started thinking and realized it's an arranged marriage! We know we are good for eachother we just can't figure out how to use eachother properly. We're slowly getting the hang of it but it seems as if we are both shy to just jump right in! I've pushed it's buttons and it's just shut down on me! Seriously, isn't that what a marriage is about sometimes? We're getting more intimate with eachother as time goes on and I know someday I'll learn to love it, everyone says so. But right now I just want my old cell phone with it's QWERTY keyboard and no bells or whistles attached.

Shampoo

2010-11-02T15:15:00.001+08:00

Natalie got her haircut the first couple weeks we were here. She loves going to get pampered a little and really loves getting her hair washed. Of course we asked for the same thing when we got to the store this time. They cut her hair first, and THEN they washed it. But they didn't wash it by the sink. Here in Singapore, well, at least at the place we went to they have another person come and wash her hair AT THE CHAIR! I went to take a picture but my battery had died. So this hairwasher lady squirts the shampoo in Natalie's hair and then slowly starts at the top of her hair rubbing in circles. Every now and then she adds a little more but it never drips down her face or on the floor. Natalie and I are looking at eachother like we really CAN NOT believe how they are doing htis. Then we shrug our shoulders and move along. By the end of the shampoo Natalie has all of her hair piled up on her head in shampoo and not one little bit is in her face, NOT ONE! Then they take her back to the sinks and rinse her hair out. She is ready to go back but I think she should wait for a little bit for it to grow back a little. Her hair is now off her neck and she says it feels a little bit cooler. Next time I promise to get pictures.

Yep, it's the end of the world

2010-10-26T21:13:00.001+08:00

The Mayans were close but I'm throwing in the towel now! I am DONE shopping! Sick of it, don't wanna do it anymore and NO ONE and NO budget can make me. My husand is currently calling the equivalent of 911 right now because he knows there is something seriously wrong with me. I DON'T WANT TO SHOP ANYMORE!

I have always loved shopping, ALWAYS. I can remember being elementary age with a dollar burning the hole in my pocket. I'd ride my bike down to the local stationary store, Hallmark I think, where they sold everything back then. Cool pencils and erasers, some of them even smelly, pretty papers, lip gloss, candies, nail polish, regular stickers, puffy stickers and yes, smelly stickers..you name it they had it. It was the best place for a budding shopaholic to spend her money.

I love buying new things. Just the feel of the newness is awesome! It doesn't matter what type of thing it is as long as it's new, I'm in love. I've loved shopping for years. I love knowing what I could buy, what I can buy and what I have to buy. I love finding a good bargain and I love just browsing. I always thought I could do it forever, BUT....

We moved to Singapore and shopping has become my nightmare! There are malls everywhere and they all have a purpose. There is a sports mall, a kid mall, an electronics mall. However, depending on the mall, what it specializes in and where it is located at here on the Island depends on the price and products you can buy there. Sure most of the malls have clothing stores with the same name, but you can't get the same type of clothes at the same price. You might find the same shirt but a different price. So, shopping is a bit trickier.
I really miss my one stop shopping a la Walmart or Target. Just to get some kitchen supplies we had to go to a kitchen mart, which really was awesome but it takes FOREVER to get a to do list to done! Then we had to go somewhere else in order to get a grill for Bob because even though it is kitchen stuff, the grill is not. Go figure.

Not only that but when I want to go out shopping I have to THINK about where I want to go and how much I'm going to buy. We only have one car here so I have been taking Cabs or an MRT because I don't want to wake up early to take Bob to work. So, I can't go carrying around the usual baggage because I walk alot! And even when I do have the car I can't go knocking off 10 or more stores in one day because driving takes time and then searching for a damn parking place takes the rest of my time. I use to be able to do Walmart, Target, Craft store(S), and a few extras while stopping for lunch in one day and some of those days I had my kids. NOT ANYMORE! I miss it.

Did I mention I do alot of walking? Through the malls to the taxi stands or through to the MRT, where I usually stand because there is no room to sit. All this while carrying as few bags as possible, which I still have way too many. I still do this walking with a car too! I just do it through the parking areas. Shopping is dreadful! My feet hurt, my legs hurt, heck even my butt hurts! The first week we were here I twisted a finger and pinched a nerve, over 2 weeks later my finger is finally unnumb! That's alot of bags!!!

Therefore, I am done shopping and am going to start having everything delivered to my house. Except, I can't find alot of shops here that actually let you shop online! They actually want you to go to the store and then some of them will deliver it for you, sometimes.

It's not all bad, just about every single mall has a food court in the basement. That's where I can be found loading up before doing all the shopping.

My sister is a B****

2010-10-21T08:09:00.001+08:00

I'm chatting with my sister Krissy on gmail instant message. I'm giving her crap about eating duck and lamb here and she's giving me crap back. We go back and forth about how cute they are and you shouldn't be eating them and how cows are cute too and we shouldn't be eating them. I tell her how delicious my roasted duck with spicy chocolate sauce was and she should make it for her awesome boyfriend instea of mutilating all those cows. All of a sudden she does the unthinkable and brings up my most favorite candy bars the twin bing! Love those things. NOT FAIR. For 2 full days now that is all I think about when I crave chocolate! She is such a B.

How to do your hair....Singapore style

2010-10-19T10:45:00.001+08:00

So, our first morning here in Singapore I do the usual shower and then proceed to do my hair. However, here in Singapore the only outlets are for shavers. Which DO NOT work with a curling iron or hair dryer no matter what type of converter you have, trust me. I realize that I will need to sit on the floor in front of the full length mirror and do my hair. I get the curling iron out and go to plug it in. I forgot I need a converter which is in the "adjoining" room. I go next door, realize I forgot the key to the luggage lock and go BACK to the other room to get luggage key but had forgot the room key. NO one but Grey is in the room and he has his ipod on so can't hear me ringing the bell. Currently I am locked outside of BOTH hotel rooms without keys to ANYTHING and I haven't even started on my hair. Grey finally answers the door, I get the luggage key, grab a room key and proceed to the other room WITH my curling iron because I really am getting mad right now and don't want my kids to see it. Plug all the converters into the curling iron and then into the wall socket. Sit and wait for a bit for the curling iron to warm up and me to cool down. Go to check my curling iron, should be nice and hot now, IT IS NOT HOT AT ALL! I forgot to turn on the outlet! Really irritated now, turn it all on make sure all things are still plugged in. Sit back down and the doorbell rings, hubby wants to know what is taking so long!!! OH MAN, did he get an earful! Finally get everything heated up and everyone out of the room. Sit on the floor and FINALLY get my hair done! Decide I can't wait to get to our house so I can do my hair like normal. COme to find out homes here are built only with a shaver in the bathroom because it is dangerous to have curling irons and hairdryers in the bathroom because of the water! However, they trust the men with the shavers? Seriously??!!?? UGH!!!!! So, I am currently on the look out for a cute vanity/makeup table/dressing table because I am NOT sitting on the floor for 2 years in order to do my hair. And later that first Saturday I ended up putting my hair up off my neck because it was just too damn hot!

Locals

2010-10-18T15:24:00.000+08:00

I drove for the first time today. Sunday mornings are quieter around here and less traffic so Bob and I headed out to test my driving skills. Driving on the left side of the road isn't so hard but it isn't so easy either. It can be very confusing but there are plenty of arrows on the roads to help me figure it all out. So, we turn down a street close to our house and see this waiting for us....

there's a monkey on the right side of the road. Just sitting there. Bob had me stop so we could get a better picture of him. It looks like he's just watching traffic for me.

So we finish my driving lesson and go home to get the kids because they would LOVE this. Come to find out there was a whole family there!

as Grey said, our Utah house had deer and moose for wildlife and our Singapore house has Monkeys. Not quite our backyard but VERY close!

Future posts

2010-10-10T07:48:00.003+08:00

Just a few things I want to remember to blog about. Feel free to choose or just deal with what I actually do blog about!
sheets
salamanders and other lizards
shopping
food
aircons
washer and dryer
kids schools
cleaning
maids
Furniture
bargaining
chicken rice
bolsters
parking
MRT
Nets
Banking
TV
slowness
fast paced
service
food courts
aunties
buses
advertising
loan furniture
handhelds
ice cream sandwhiches
sports cars
status
Floss

Okay, there is more that I can't think of unless I'm trying to go to sleep. But this is just the first week! Keep coming back. Things might slow down, and they might not.

I'm also adding
lime juice
chasing salamanders
bob's uturn
laundry room
mopping the floors
prayer rooms
festivals
school schedules
doing my hair
electricity
water heaters

Humpty dumpty Gnome style

2010-10-04T17:02:00.002+08:00

So, one of my lovely sisters gave our family the traveling Husker Gnome to take on our adventure for awhile. Then we scrapbook what the Gnome Henry has done with us in Singapore and send the Gnome onto the next family member. It is a great way to keep in touch with other members and a fun way to showcase what we all do. Henry seemed to have an awesome time in DC.

We didn't take Henry with us onto the plane because we were worried about him being hollow and not getting through security. We ended up putting him in a suitcase with 4 ZhuZhu pets and they all rode in the luggage. He really wasn't that happy about it but we didn't get flagged as a terrorist either! Henry was so happy when we got to the Hotel and finally got him out of that suitcase. I guess the ZhuZhu pets get a little too crazy and can't keep quiet! He arrived in one piece and spent the last 2 days gettting over some jet lag and looking out our Hotel window. He seems to really like Singapore and thinks the humidity is just like being home on the cornfields.

This morning he was ready to venture out with us to Grey's new school and we put him into my big purse. Took a cab to the new school and opened up my purse to find that Henry needed urgent care! His legs had broke off! Clean break for the poor guy, and he is now in 2 pieces but we didn't have the needed supplies to fix him up. He continued to travel in my purse until we could get him the urgent care he needed. He is such a trooper and didn't complain ONCE.

Natalie and I took a bathroom trip and as I'm rummaging in this huge purse of mine for some hand sanitizer i come up with only ONE Henry shoe! Remember they were together at first with a nice clean break and now they are seperated. Henry is now in 3 pieces! I had been extra careful with my purse so I'm unsure of how this all happened! Poor guy still is doing a good job even if he is all in pieces!

As soon as we got back to the Hotel we fixed him right up. Nothing a little glue and some hot looking surgeos in shower caps can't handle! He is drying under the "heat" lamp right now and I think Jake slipped him some chocolate. THis time it seems all the kings men COULD put him back together again!

Come sail away...

2010-09-25T00:52:00.000+08:00

Packers are here RIGHT NOW! They are packing up all the stuff that is going on the ship for us to use in Singapore. We won't see any of this for 7-9 weeks if it all goes well.

I am such an American. It has been a little hard deciding what all needs to go and what all we need to store for the next 2 years. I like my stuff. I like having it all near me whether I use it or not. I like knowing that JUST IN CASE I need it my stuff is somewhere in my house. Give me a minute and I can find it, or find something that I had forgot I even had!

I have done it, I have taken a house that started with almost 20,000 pounds (or 9072 kg, look at me being all Singaporean!) just 4 short years ago when we moved to Utah and have condensed it down to a little over 3000 pounds..wait for it..or 1361 kilograms! It wasn't easy and at some point I started thinking that if I don't need it for the next 2 years do I really need it at all? I do, I can't part with ALL My stuff!

I'm sad and I'm excited. We are getting so close to learning so many new and wonderful things. And having new things to drive us insane! Goodbye stuff, come sail away with me to a whole new adventure!

I think it's that time of the month

2010-09-16T11:17:00.001+08:00

NO! not that time of the month! Silly people. It's that time to say goodbye to my friends and adopted family here in Utah. We leave in 2 weeks, flying out Sept. 30. So, I finally took some time today to get down to the school I use to work at and say good bye to the friends I had made there. I'm just not very good at goodbyes.
However, I did it. I try to make it a point in my life to let people know that they have touched my life and have made a difference. I don't think there was one person I worked with that I don't care about in some way but I do have my favorites! I have 2 adopted moms at that school. They made my days happy and gave me hugs when I wasn't happy. I know in my heart that these 2 women always have my best interests at heart and that they truly care about me. I'm so glad I made the time to go see them and let them know how I feel. Life is unpredictable and I wanted to make sure that these wonderful ladies knew that I loved them. Like I said, those things have become very important to me.

What I wasn't prepared for was that those 2 women told me that I also made a difference in their lives. ME, just a little nerdy nebraskan girl who is self conscious at times and has her foot in her mouth the rest of the time. When I started the job I knew I would make a difference in some of the kids I worked with but I never knew I'd make a differene with grown WOMEN. I found out I like this feeling. I see now why people dedicate their lives to helping others.

You often think that in order to make a difference it needs to be something in grand proportions. But in all honesty I think it is all the little things that add up. The hugs, the smiles, the how you do's the quick compliments. Whatever it is it can make a difference in someones life. And you know, the not even trying is the best part of making a difference I think. I was just myself, quirky in all my glory! I didn't pretend to be someone else or make apologies for who I am. I was me and they love me! That is a great feeling.

I think I have the best network of friends I have ever had in my life ad I am very grateful for all of them! So, if you are reading this and you consider yourself my friend then thank you. Thank you for making a difference in my life no matter how small or how big it mattered.

I said it before it was just that time of the month to say THANK YOU! I love you all and am so glad that God has put me in your path to meet you and learn from you all.

My life is not my own

2010-09-05T12:50:00.000+08:00

Ugh and double Ugh! I'm ready to be done and in Singapore. And then I'm ready to just stay here and say to hell with it! There are just too many people involved in my life! We have so many "experts" assigned to us that there are too many chiefs and not enough Indians. Information is getting messed up, paperwork is coming dangerously close to not getting done and I am stuck in the middle all confused and wondering WTF just happened! I keep reminding myself that it's getting closer and it will soon be OVER. That all of this is just part of the adventure but right now, I'm done adventuring. I want to sit in my own little corner where I KNOW what's going to happen and just RELAX! Maybe by Christmas? NO, I'm sure there will be something else. Bob and I seem to be excelling the more there is on our plate and usually that's not us. I'm just tired of it...I want my life back! I want to make the decisions and KNOW what I'm doing instead of making a wild guess and hoping for the best. Excuse me while I go kick and scream until I feel better, the candy hasn't been working.

The bad mommy award goes to ME!

2010-08-26T02:49:00.001+08:00

All my kids started school today. They looked so nice and were all ready to go, even Jake who really doesn't like school too much but we keep working on it. We do the regular neighborhood breakfast and then walk down to the school. We didn't make it to the teacher meet and greet because we were in Nebraska and Singapore, so we find where the kids are lining up and say our goodbyes and goodlucks. They are just sooo excited. I leave Jake in his line and go to pay lunches. I get a strange feeling that I need to check on my kids and I go to Nat's classroom first. They don't have her on "the list" even though it is posted outside with her name on it when we looked Tues. morning. So, they don't have a desk ready for her at all. Same thing with Jake and this kid gets very nervous when he is unsure about something. I did tell the school we were moving but they would be in classes the first month until we moved. So I don't know what happened. Seeing their faces when they found out they didn't have a desk or any of the cool new stuff all the other kids had just broke my heart. They both handled it well but I should have checked to make sure all was set with the classes. I just assumed since the class lists outside had their names on it that they were still enrolled, the DAY BEFORE school started. I hate seeing my kids feel left out and like they don't belong, this year is going to be hard on them enough without their mom dropping the balls and keeping life smooth for them. I ended up getting a banana split for lunch and a grape slush. I wish you didn't feel so bad for your kids sometimes, I'm sure they will come home from school all good but I'll carry this guilt for a few days. At least I know that they have desks waiting for them in Singapore. I SAW those ones!

To water or not to water

2010-08-24T06:57:00.000+08:00

While we were gone these last 2 weeks we had a friends 16 year old daughter come and take care of our dogs so we didn't have to pay the kennel bill. Plus, we had watched their dogs twice so they kinda owed us. We get home last night after 13 hours of driving and I walk in to see dirty dishes in my sink! Now, I'm one of those people whose house is spic and span when I leave for any amount of vacation. I'm worried I will die and I do not want someone coming into my home and seeing how much of a pig I really am. So, finding dirty dishes in my sink was not one of the best things to come home to. On top of that the 3 plants that I have carefully nursed along the way and actually havent' killed yet are dead. Well, maybe not the cactus but it looks to be on it's last legs. Now, how lazy is it to put dirty dishes in my sink and not water the 3 plants that you see dying. I think it's just common sense, even at 16. Bob disagrees. I'm not saying she had to water all my plants just the ones where she obviously was looking! I've got the dishes done and all that now but it really did just tick me off last night!

Trendy toes

2010-08-17T13:07:00.001+08:00

Before we left for our Nebraska and Singapore vacations I took Natalie to get a pedicure. We decided to do this new trend called trendy nails unlimited at the pedicure boutique. They are basically stickers you can put on your toes or fingernails to add some extra sassiness to your nails. Check them out here. I got the crowns for my toes and Natalie ended up getting just her big toes with the psychedelic nails. I loved them and think it is a cute idea. I think I'll get the zebras or plaid next. They are very addictive with all their different options. I'm not sure if I can get them in Singapore and I'll be wearing sandals ALOT more then I ever did in Utah.

When we went to Nebraska we also visited the Omaha zoo and I lost one of my stickers. I thought I'd have to do without the sticker for the remainder of our vacation. However, when I was out with my sisters doing our traditional pedicures I got it replaced! But not with stickers! The lady hand painted the crowns on my toe and you can't tell the difference! It's my little toe here and it is an EXACT match. The ladies laughed so hard that I was putting stickers on my toes when all they had to do was paint it on. They really thought I was crazy. Then one of the ladies high fived my sister and said "Nebraska rules, we are better". It was hilarious. I know those ladies were making fun of me and my toes. AND then they ended up painting cute decorations on everyone elses toes.

Aren't we so cute? and mine are the only stickers!

I may need help

2010-07-17T01:40:00.001+08:00

So, we're moving to Singapore for two years. We are only allowed so many pounds to ship over so some of our stuff will be going into storage and some will be going with us. Yesterday I started on my clothes. I packed all my winter clothes away and started going through all the other clothes I have.
This is where I'm beginning to think I need help. I worked for 3 hours just in my closet. I threw 2 huge bags of clothes (lawn bags) into my Yard Sale pile 2 big moving boxes of my winter clothes and this is how my closet looks now. .......

To be fair those hangers use to be squished together and the top shelf was stuffed to the ceiling. But, SERIOUSLY! 3 hours of work and I don't think I got much accomplished!
I've looked through all the clothes again and I don't think there is much more I can rid of. I start having panic attacks! I MIGHT need that particular item of clothing. And what if I do need it and it's in my storage or worse yet, someone else is wearing MY clothes and looking better? UGH! I need serious help. If my closet is this bad what is the rest of my house going to be like?

Dear Greyson,

2010-07-09T22:56:00.000+08:00

Yes, I know this is public and you may hate it but I'm your mother and I get to do things like this. Deal.
You are the best researcher I know. Before we even knew we were going to Singapore you researched the country before making any opinions. You have been all for this move since the beginning. You know your stuff better than I do. You may even know Singapore better than someone that lives there. Do you know how relaxing it has been to know that I can go to you for answers on the time there, the exchange rate, the other countries around there and various other miscellaneous details? Details that would bog me down but not you. Lately you have been a well of information on all the schools in Singapore. You know exactly which school you would like to go to and are helping me to get all the information I need. I can trust your information because I know that you know this information totally. You have picked a school that looks challenging yet fun. You didn't choose the easy way at all, how many kids would do that? You are one amazing 14 year old.
You know that we will be moving a month into school and yet you are still doing your algebra homework and your AP geography homework. What kid would do that? YOU! Because you love to learn and you have never been ashamed of it.
Not only have you been the family researcher for many things in Singapore you have also had many good ideas and comments about our move. Your dad and I may not say this very often but we value alot of your ideas even if we don't go with your idea.
You have also helped with things around the house and have not complained. I really appreciate your can do attitude lately. You even take all my ranting and raving about a clean house in stride. Maybe your hearing aids are turned down?
I have always been proud to be your mom but lately I am more proud then I ever thought I could be. You are such an inspiration to me and you continue to surprise me with your actions or ideas. Thank you for being you but thanks the most for being MY son. You make me happy.
Love,
Mom

sixty seven dollars and 59 cents

2010-07-05T02:04:00.000+08:00

You can buy alot of things with that type of money. For instance....
Almost 93 candy bars
A very nice pedicure WITH those glitter toe things
A romantic dinner out with your significant other
Close to 67 bags of Nibs cherry. MMMM
Movie with popcorn and candy
Assorted clothing
An ipod shuffle
And I'm sure many other things but this is what that amount of money bought me.....My Grandma.
It bought me time to know her. She passed away about a year ago and that money is my inheritance. To me it's just money because I inherited so much more from her. My Grandma was funny, she once said to me that you don't need money to live on you can just live on love with a little wink. She had 9 kids and very little income sometimes so I guess she knew best. It never made her bitter to not keep up with the Jones'. She had what she wanted which I believe was the love of my Grandpa. My Grandparents kissed even when others said they were too old. I can remember my Grandpa calling her Josephine and putting a light hand on her back, and they would sometimes kiss. It was beautiful to my romantic heart. She could make tomatoes, pasta, and bread stretch forEVER. I swear that's all we ever ate besides the potatoes in the basement. My Grandma always had a kleenex in her bra and those knee-hi pantyhose that she rolled down. She had the infamous (now) O'Neill belly although it should be the Tyma belly. I think I was 12 before I realized my Grandma wasn't actually pregnant. She had 9 kids but never seemed worn out or "done" with the whole thing. She seemed to enjoy her Grandkids and some of us even got to go to her Camp O'Neill where we didn't do much but help clean and talk.

I inherited humor, love, perseverance, being happy with who you are, romantic gestures, stretching a dime, dorkiness and the fateful belly. My "inheritance" may only be 67.59 in numbers but her influence in my life is something you just can't put a number to.

Oh Edward, my Edward

2010-07-01T01:24:00.000+08:00

Edward, How can I let you know all you mean to me? How I giggle whenever you walk or talk, how I see myself with you instead of that twit, Bella. How I know I am your true love if only that girl would leave! I would NEVER betray you with some filthy dog, no matter how cute his upper torso. The way you sparkle in the sunshine just mesmerizes me. If only all men were as sparkly as you, as only a true man can be. How your eyes look like they are looking straight at me, especially when they do those great zoom in shots. How I dream of you and wish that Vampires were real.
But WAIT....I can say all that to you now because I have this.....

Now, I can whisper sweet nothings in your ears. I can use you like no other. You'll hold any (drink) I want. You will always be there for me. You can sit for hours by my side and still be fulFILLed. You Edward, my Edward are truly the best Vampire to ever happen to this girls life. Cheers to you my sparkly vampire, may we have many good times all over the world!

Oh, and the movie was good. Edward kissed Bella too much, Jacob has one NICE upper body, and it was well made. Still like the books better but I can't have everything.

Seasons

2010-06-19T01:45:00.000+08:00

I'm not talking about the original 4 seasons of summer, winter, spring and fall. I'm talking about the seasons of life. I had been thinking about my life a lot this year, you know the pushing 40 and being a mom of a teenager and all that. And then one night I was blog hopping going to blogs I use to love and didn't have the time to read once I started working. Found out I still love some of those blogs and I found the one post that spoke to me on this post on this bloggers blog. So she is the inspiration for my newest post. There will be 2 now in less than a week!

We all have seasons to our life. I've already been through most of them.
The Hunting season: Defined as looking for a mate by dating all the wrong ones and sometimes even the right ones but not the right one right then. Done with that one.
The Mating season: or most people refer to as "when you have babies". Did that with a result of 3 babies.
The only I watch animated TV season: Known to most all mothers as I have kids under 5 and must keep them occupied or I'll never be showered. Did that too and I actually miss some of those animated shows.

So, how do I define this season. This one of school age kids. They don't need me or want me as much. They are becoming their own little people. This season of working outside of home. This season of change in my marriage because of my new job. This season of changing relationships. I'm still not sure how to define it. I just know that sometimes I feel like the only seasons I have left to look forward to is the Menopause season and the Grandbaby season.

But I'm only 37 so there should be at least 10 years before I hit that season. So, I think I'll make this season one of self discovery. Of learning more about me and my limits. Of being a better, friend, wife, mother, daughter, sister,worker and anything else I decide to try. I can still be all those things and get to reacquaint myself with me, because lets face it. When you are a mom and wife you sometimes forget that you are anything else. But I do remember I liked me before and even during these last few seasons so I am sure I will like me during this next season.

FOOD! It's everywhere...

2010-06-14T06:26:00.007+08:00

The last week of school I started craving one of my favorite Lemonades of all time. You can only get it at a little restaurant here called Tucano's. I didn't really want to go out to eat I just wanted the lemonade. So, I went searching the handy dandy internet. I found it here. And it tasted EXACTLY like the restaurants. It is soooo yummy on a hot summer day.

While I was looking around the site I found a bunch of other recipes we have tried. Bob grilled some artichokes last Sunday for the first time. I did not know that artichokes take sooooo much work to eat. But they were VERY good! Jake could probably eat a whole artichoke himself.

That same day Natalie and I made some cupcakes for us and a friend. They were really delish too. The recipe has a link to a cool frosting that I can actually make by myself. It's so easy and tastes so yummy. I have also made an easy tuna pasta and a forgotten jambalya that I'll post the recipes to later because Ican't find them online. Both were very good.

Today, the weather isn't cooperating for us to make s'mores so we found this recipe and made it. They are called campfire cookies and are really easy for the kids to help make. My favorite thing is watching the kids cook with Bob, he is so much more patient with them than I am and they had a great time making them. (Bob doesn't like the way he looks in the picture...I told him not to worry because it's only going on my blog and no one reads it).

Finally....Greyson is a potato chip freak! He loves them. But only the regular salted kind...he doesn't like his chops all fru fruieee. I had some potatoes that were going bad so we looked for a baked potato chip recipe, found one and put him to work. They taste great and will go with dinner tonight. He did alot of the work himself. I can't find that recipe right now but I know we just got it off line somewhere.

You wanna update? Here's your update....

2010-06-03T23:38:00.002+08:00

I have so many different things I want to write about and they all go jumbling together. Then I over think that I might make someone upset by the things I post and I shouldn't think that way because this is my blog and if you don't like it don't read it. The things I say and write on here are my opinions, thoughts and feelings. I own them and do not ask you to own them.
Hopefully I can update this more during the summer. I really do miss writing and getting my thoughts out of my head. I just need to stop thinking and write.
So, if I have any readers left hang in there. I'll be back!

Is there ever "enough"

2010-03-15T05:52:00.002+08:00

My mom has just left Utah back for her home state of Nebraska after spending a nice almost week with us. It was a fun week but I am always left feeling like it was never enough.
There wasn't enough to time to spend, even if we would have stayed up the whole week. When you only see eachother every other year or so there is alot to catch up on. Even if you do talk on the phone weekly.
I'm left wondering if enough topics were covered so both my mom and I understand how we both have grown and how our lives are going. Did we just touch base or was it "enough"?
I NEVER feel like there is enough time. Not enough time to do some of those fun things that are here in Utah. To show her our home state and the things it offers for our family. Did we show her "enough"?
Was there enough time for the kids to enjoy their Grandma. For both kids and Grandma to goof off and get to know eachother. Did they enjoy eachother "enough"?
Was there enough activities that my kids and their awesome personalities showed through or was there too much time to see the bad side of their personalities? How much is "enough"?
Did I get to show off enough of my awesome personality? Enough of how much I've grown and yet still need a mother at times. Was there "enough" showboating?

This is the first year I have worked when my mom came to visit so I felt like there was even less time. This year I particularly feel like there was not enough time, or conversation or fun or showing off or just ANYTHING. It was harder than usual. She got to see the kids' school and meet my coworkers and we found a new favorite family game but was any of that enough?

Tag!!!

2010-02-06T23:44:00.002+08:00

if I were a day of the week, I'd be saturday!
if I were a time of day, I'd be 2 P.M.
if I were a direction, I'd be lost all the time
if I were a tree, I'd be a flowering fruit tree.
if I were a tool, I'd be a nail or stapler, they are always needed.
if I were a flower I'd be a rose.
if I were a musical instrument I'd be a flute.
if I were a color, I'd be pink.
if I were a fruit, I'd be strawberries.
if I were an element, I'd be FIRE! ;)
if I were a food, I'd be chocolate.
if I were a place, I'd be the ocean.
if I were a material, silk.
if I were a scent, I'd be vanilla.
if I were an object I'd be a radio.
if I were a song I'd be all we need is love.

YOUR IT!

Exchange of texts with my Hubby

2009-12-16T09:21:00.001+08:00

Me: Hey what do you think about NE for Christmas?
Him: NO, we have 4 extra dogs coming to our house.
Me: Oh Yeah, I forgot!
Him: Figures.

Sorry guys, I tried for a nice Christmas surprise. I had forgot that we were watching all those dogs. But feel free to take pictures of my family and make them into stick figures just so you don't miss us too much!

The obligatory Thankful post

2009-11-27T01:43:00.003+08:00

Everyone is doing one right? Plus, I haven't updated my blog since my anniversary a WHOLE MONTH AGO! I better get something written here....
I'm a very thankful person this year and just about every year. Life is good for me. Sure there are bumps along the road but more than likely everything works out for the betterment of my life. I like to be thankful everyday or else life can become unbearable. If you are always out looking for the things you don't have instead of the things you do have life gets miserable!
Bob and I are still together after 15 years of marriage and 2 more dating/living together. We didn't think we would make it that far some years and we almost were divorced the first year. I'm very thankful for that man. He is my soul mate even if he drives me crazy somedays. He has helped me to become a better person. He understands ME and accepts me whether or not he agrees with me. He has given me 3 wondeful kids and it is also a bonus that he cooks well and is still pretty darn good looking.
Our kids are happy and healthy. Sure they have attitudes and we all argue sometimes but it's okay. That's what families do. They do well in school and they listen for the most part. But truly I am thankful that they are healthy and happy. They are fun to be around and I have learned patience and unconditional love because of them.
My extended family gives me alot to be thankful for too. I love having 3 sisters whether or not we argue, fight, judge or just plain hate eachother somedays. But that's okay too because we are all different and that is what gives us our relationships because I really don't think I could be friends with myself most days! I have learned from all of them and have broadened my horizons because of them. My mom has helped me to become the person I am too. I would not be such a great mom or caregiver if she had not shown me how to be.
My in-laws are also something I am thankful for. Not only did they raise my wonderful husband to be a good man and father they have also supported us in many of our dreams and desires. THey spoil my children and are fun to be around during.
I am thankful for my life. The twists and turns it has taken and the surprises it has held. I'm thankful for the dreams that got left behind or the things that just didn't work out. Everything has played a part in what I have today and I really am thankful for it all!

Playing hooky

2009-10-21T19:55:00.003+08:00

I'm not going to go to work today. It is my 15th Wedding anniversary so I am playing hooky! My husband is too. I have no idea what we are going to do besides enjoy each others company. It's been a long time since we were able to be together and not get interrupted by kids. They will be at school all day! Even after all these years I really love his company. He makes me laugh and he makes me think. And sometimes we even think alike. He's made these 15 years fly by.
We've shared so much together it's nice to celebrate all those events and reflect back on how our lives have grown together. And of course to think about the future and the dreams we still have of things to do together.
This is still my most favorite post from last year.
Happy Anniversary BOb. Thanks for being my rock and making my life so much fun!

Too good not to share...

2009-09-11T21:52:00.002+08:00

My oldest found this and shared it with me. I thought I'd share it with all of you.
http://jscottsavage.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-are-we-teaching-our-children.html

Take this job and

2009-09-07T11:02:00.002+08:00

LOVE IT! I really do like my current job. Yes, I know it has only been 2 full weeks of working or just 10 days but it is fun and challenging. So, here's the story of how I became employed.

I was so excited for summer and to spend all this extra time with my kids. But they found friends and spent most of their time outside with them. I soon became bored. There is only so much cleaning you can do and only so far my budget can give for decorating. So I started thinking really hard about getting a part time job.

I don't have a college degree, I haven't worked for 10 years and I'm not really qualified for much. I wanted a job where I could still take care of my family and spend quality time together. I didn't really want to work nights and I definitely did not want to work weekends. So, I thought I'd start looking for a lunch lady postion in the schools around here. I soon found out there were ALOT more jobs in the district then just lunch lady. I went crazy applying for jobs, even if I didn't think I was qualified I went ahead and applied. I really didn't have anything to lose. I think I applied for over 20 jobs with the schools in my area. I only had 2 interviews for those applications.

My first interview was with a school down the hill from us. It was for the severly disabled kids. I was very nervous but felt that the interview went well. However, I didn't get the job. I was a little disappointed because I thought the school and hours would be a great fit for me. So I started applying for more jobs as a paraeducator. My second interview went well too but the hours would not have worked at all. I was getting no calls but lots of emails saying the positions I was applying for had already been filled. I resigned myself to the fact that it was going to take longer and I'd find things to do while the kids were at school.

However, I got a phone call the same week school started around here. It was from the first school I interviewed with for a paraeducator. They had an opening and wante to know if I was still interested!!! I took that job and started the following week! I then became an employeed mom!

I have only worked 10 days at the school but I love it. Some days aren't very fun but it's challenging and I am really good at taking care of people. I am a permanent sub in the building so I get to work in various classrooms. I get to help wherever they need me and I'm really good at that! I have fallen in love with many of the students already. Some are very challenging but in a good way. I have a different sense of fulfillment now. I have changed lots of diapers and had so much food wiped on me I feel like I have babies again. These students are wonderful. I may have actually found what I want to be when I grow up! Maybe even the teacher and not an aide!

It has also been good at home. Instead of me cleaning everything we have one hour every week where we all clean! My house is actually cleaner. And my kids seem to love it. They still complain but they love the responsibility. It really has been an easy transition. I was worried it might not be. It makes me feel that the time was definitely right for me to do this. I don't feel like I'm taking any time away from my family and that we are actually growing instead!

I didn't want to be a mom

2009-08-22T06:00:00.006+08:00

I did play with dolls, I'm not going to lie. I really only played with them because of all the STUFF and the cute clothes you could get with the dolls. Barbies were more my thing because she had cars and beach houses, Barbie is my girl! I mostly thought of having kids AFTER I had a career. I needed the money to live like Barbie! I always thought I was too selfish to be a mom and would never make a very good mom.

All of this changed one day in August at the ripe young age of 22. I was pregnant. Bob and I were going to be parents. I kind of had a mini freak out. AND THEN.....I wanted to be a mom more than anything. I was ready. I was willing to be unselfish.

I did work for awhile after my oldest was born. He was 3 when I decided to quit working for a paycheck and become a full time mom and work for kisses and hugs instead. That was 10 years ago and I have loved being a mom and hated being a mom. It is one of the most rewarding and heartbreaking jobs I will ever have. It can also be very thankless. The main goal in parenting is to teach these little humans how to leave you and live on their own one day. I think that is very thankless!

I have found out over these many years that I am good at being a mom. I excel when I am taking care of other people and their needs. I like them wanting and needing ME! I like being my own boss or as I said many times the CEO of the HOME! I like thinking of new things to do with the kids, I love seeing when they learn new things. Of course their need and want of me actually fed into my selfishness! Who would have thought?

Many days I stayed in jammies and didn't once venture out of the house. I was in charge of EVERYTHING! It was good and it was bad. So many days I wondered what the heck I was doing and I wasn't cut out to be a mom. So many days I wouldn't give up because I was there with my kids during temper tantrums, illnesses, quiet days, loud days and happy days.

I have loved and hated every single minute of being a full time mother. I have truly enjoyed being with my kids. I am one of those moms that can't wait for school breaks and is sad to see them go back, even if they did drive me crazy all vacation! I may not have always been the best mom but they were not always the best of kids either so I think we are even.

Then this year my youngest started 1st grade! He is in school ALL DAY! I was going to just "retire" and enjoy my time off. But as the summer started slipping by I decided I wanted to get a job. I was getting bored at home. So, I began to search for something, anything because I was unsure of what I wanted to do. And finally I found a job!! (another post later about this one)

So I am now a mom with a paying job! But my most important and self satisfying job is being a mom to 3 beautiful and smart and funny kids. My kids have taught me so much about me and I really do miss them when they are gone. I would never in a million years picked motherhood as the one job I would love and be good at but I'm so glad that I stumbled upon it. And it will be so nice to open this next chapter in my life....working mom!

You must go check this out

2009-08-06T05:35:00.002+08:00

Not sure how many of you are aware that my oldest has his own blogs but you must go check out this post.....
http://ssenrahnaboo2.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-words-and-expressions.html
HILARIOUS. Maybe just because I was there when these words and phrases were "created". Funny stuff for a 13 year old. I sure love him.

Passive-Aggressive

2009-07-28T22:40:00.002+08:00

I use to be a very Passive-aggressive person. Instead of saying anything that bothered me about you or your actions I would say snide remarks or ignore you all together. I hated that about me and feel it made me a very bitter and depressed person. Not really the way I want people to view me.
I now feel that being a passive-aggressive person robs others of the chance to grow as a person. How else will someone know what behaviors are bothersome unless someone tells them? Now I'm not saying to go tell your neighbor that her choice of flowers is disgusting because there should be some tact involved. However, if something offends me or I take something the wrong way I will ask. For my own peace of mind. I need to know. If I do not ask the other person may not know how offensive it is and I could end up carrying a grudge for something that may be easily explainable. Not really the way I want to live my life.
It is hard to ask for clarification sometimes but it has given me a more peaceful existence. I'm sure many of my friends are tired of me asking "what do you mean"? It is also hard to explain something that you either said without thinking, something that wasn't meant the way it was taken. I'm really bad at this and can sometimes make things harder-you know "dig your own grave". But my good friends and family understand this about me and still hear me out because sooner or later I get the right point across that I was trying to in the first place. Or I just apologize. This makes my life so much more enjoyable.
I've been seeing a lot of passive-aggressive behavior lately. It really stresses me out and leaves me with such a bad feeling. I think the world would be such a better place if people were honest and open, especially with those they love and care about. How else can people move forward and create lasting bonds or grow to be better people? From my limited years of experience I really haven't seen any good come from being passive-aggressive. Hurtful rumors and bad relationships are about all I've seen come from passive-aggressive behaviors. Just not the way I am choosing to live my life.
I still have things to work on in my life. I can still be passive-aggressive, I can still have low self-esteem, and I still want to throw things when I get really mad and frustrated. Those are the things I know I need to work on. I know there are more but if others play the passive-aggressive game how am I to know some of those other bad habits of mine?

WOW! Ignorance is alive....

2009-07-10T00:17:00.002+08:00

Found this on one of my favorite news sites.
http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2009/07/08/qotd/index.html?source=video&aim=/politics/war_room

What do you say to this? I'm part Irish so are my kids, does that mean we aren't "real" americans? And what truly is the real definition of "real" American? Wouldn't that be British or maybe AMERICAN Indian? Or maybe, just a little thought, we should be tolerant of other people! Who cares color of skin or ethnic or religious background we are all God's people!

Reading this makes me wonder how many people actually think this way? Probably more than I ever want to know.

Real Housewife....not me

2009-07-08T00:08:00.003+08:00

Just found this quiz for a 1930's housewife. After taking the quiz my results sat at 34. This means that I am a failure as a housewife (for the 1930's).
1930s Marital Scale

1930s Marital Scale
34
As a 1930s wife, I amPoor
Scoring:
0-24 - Very Poor (Failure)
25-41 - Poor
42-58 - Average
59-75 - Superior
76+ - Very Superior

Some of those questions, like darning socks, who does that anymore? Get dressed before breakfast? Yeah, not me! Or wear hose? I think the last time I ever wore pantyhose was when I got married! Yeah, good thing I was born in the 1970's because I would have had to be a man to survive the 1930's!

Worst mother of the year award--Michael Jackson's kids mom

2009-06-29T22:01:00.002+08:00

I don't believe this woman! Why even put this out there? I feel really bad for those kids. Not only did their father pass away but now they have to hear how their mom was "just a vessel". Goes back to something my mom taught me: If you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all"

Here's the story:

MICHAEL Jackson's two eldest kids face a tug-of-love battle after their mum Debbie Rowe confessed he was not their father.
In an astonishing interview Debbie - mother of Prince, 12, and Paris, 11 - said she was artificially inseminated by an anonymous donor.
And she told how, despite Jackson's death, she does not WANT custody of the children and NEVER expects to see them again.
Debbie (who lives on a farm surrounded by animals) said, ""I was just the vessel. It wasn't Michael's sperm. Just like I stick the sperm up my horse, this is what they did to me. I was his thoroughbred."....
After Debbie gave birth to second child Paris, she couldn't have kids again, "The delivery was so hard. My insides were all torn up and I was barren. When he knew I couldn't have any more babies he didn't want anything to do with me."
Debbie says she will not fight for custody of Prince Michael or Paris, "I know I will never see them again. I was never cut out to be a mother - I was no good. I don't want these children in my life. My children are my animals now."

Que Pasa

2009-06-27T11:18:00.003+08:00

Last week we went into Downtown Boise for a lunch with Bob on Father's Day. We ended up looking around some of the little stores around there. They had some really cute ones but the one that stuck out the most was this one that had the best metal art I've ever seen. It's called Que Pasa and is owned by an amazing woman. There were also alot of other pieces of art there but the metal art was what drew us all in.
We stayed in this little shop for about an hour just talking to the lady who owned the shop and bought all the artwork. She has bought everything from a little town near Guadalajara from an art community. Everything is handmade and she can tell you the artist name and the name of the artwork, all in spanish. This lady will be 94 next month. She has a sweet soul and you can tell she is very passionate about her job.
We didn't buy anything that day but said we'd be back. Everything was well priced but I couldn't make up my mind and I couldn't afford to buy everything.
I couldn't get one piece of metal out of my head though and we returned today. We ended up buying the MOST amazing mermaid to go in our downstairs bathroom. She's beautiful.

We spent another hour or so talking to the owner again. Her name is Beverly Foster and she travels back to Mexico once a year and buys the artwork to go in her little shop. She loves what she does and knows alot of Spanish. She tried teaching the kids some and she even gave them a few little gifts. She recognized us when we came back in today and it really does make you feel special. She took an interest in not only our money but in us and it will make me feel good everyday I l0ok at our little mermaid.
I'm hoping to be able to buy some of her other metal art or even some of the blown glass. Everything was gorgeous whether it was my taste or not.

Ice! Ice! Babbbyyyy.....

2009-06-19T22:43:00.002+08:00

We made a little road trip this week to visit Bob while he is on "assignment".
So, we arrived last night (a day earlier just to surprise him) at his apartment. Because this is only a temporary apartment he doesn't have alot of the amenities you have when someplace is your actual "home". But here comes the real story.....
Greyson was getting himself a drink of water for bedtime. He kept looking at the frig all perplexed and finally walked over to the faucet and poured some water in his cup. He then looked at the frig again and opened up the frig, not the freezer part and asked where you get the ice. Bob opened up the freezer for him and pointed right to the ice cube trays. Grey took one out and looked at it very confused, I'm sure he was wondering how to get the tray into his little cup. Bob asked him if he knew how to use it and he was all NOooo, I've never seen one before. WHAT!!! I never laughed so hard. My child is soooo spoiled. Grey thought the trays were cool but he preferred the ice and water to be in the frig door. As he said it makes it easier to get when they are right next to eachother.
You just never think about all the things we take for granted or just overlook. Some things we have nowdays use to be considered luxury items-computers, tv's in every room, tivo's, remotes, ice makers. Enjoy your luxuries for someday your mom may take them away and you'll have to use the old ice cube trays. Grey should be happy that they weren't the really old fashioned ones with a lever to pull the ice cubes out! Think we'll go home and have a pioneer day just so they can see how darn easy they really have it!

Tip Junkie Birthday Bash....Day 3

2009-06-17T21:42:00.003+08:00

Nope, I didn't win anything on day 1 and I never got around to doing a post for day 2 although there were some very cute jewelry products. So, we're going to try again for day 3. Things I want to win:
9. A Lexington bag in your choice of fabric from Venezie Bags, a $45 value.
I looked at her Etsy site and she has some really cute bags including diaper bags.

and this one:
2. Five 5×7 prints or 2 8×10 prints from L. Herbert Designs. Laryssa is also offering all Tip Junkies 10% off from June 17-19th, use coupon code TIPJUNKIE.
I've been redoing my house and I think her beach prints would look awesome in my downstairs bath.

So. Once again wish me luck. I'll try to post something of value someday.

Tip Junkie giveaway

2009-06-15T22:41:00.002+08:00

I've been a fan of this Tip Junkie for awhile now. I find such cute and easy ideas to do or to pass onto friends and family. The site is jampacked with so many cool things from all over the internet. I LOVE IT.
This week she is celebrating her blogs 2nd birthday and going dot com with a cool birthday bash giveaway. I usually don't enter blog giveaways because the odds of me winning are so slim or I just plain forget to enter on the day your supposed to enter. BUT today I'm entering to win and I'll probably do it all week since I love some of the other sites that Tip Junkie promotes.
So, in order to enter the giveaway I needed to write a post (right here, check) and put her new button onto my blog (look to the left, check). I'm hoping to win this:
9. A $45 gift certificate (free shipping included) Labella Jewels.

As good friends or family members you are asked NOT to enter so that my chances of
winning are not reduced. There are plenty of other cute things for you to win. For instance:
11. A $35 gift certificate to Mazer Design. Her artwork is amazing!
or
1. A customized pair of “Emmie’s Girls” picture frames by Bibs and Cribs, a $40 value.
and who doesn't need one of these for the kids or just a messy eater
3. Four sets of the Baby Dipper bowl and spoon set, a $39.96 value.

So, keep your grubby hands to yourself and leave me to my slim chances.
Wish me luck!

Summer Vacay.....YEAH

2009-05-30T22:36:00.003+08:00

FINALLY! Our summer vacation is here. I don't know who is more excited me or the kids. I love having them home and spending time with them. The school year gets so busy with things that sometimes I can forget to enjoy the moment.
We don't have many plans for the summer except going to the pool and hanging out together. Bob is going to be gone for a few more weeks then we thought so we are going to be going to Boise for a week to visit.
All the kids have made plans with friends. Grey will be mowing a friends yard for some extra money. I need to have one more yard sale to get rid of the stuff from my last yard sale.
I hope this year that I can remember to spend more time with the kids. They grow so fast and don't need me as much as they have before. Every year I make tons of plans and put them off because we have so much time. Until that last month and we are rushing to get things done and I begin yelling at my kids to have a fun, happy summer.
I hope that I make good memories for the kids to reflect back on. That those times I yell at them don't cement in their minds.
I also hope that they listen a little more and argue a little less. But I don't think that will happen, they are kids afterall.
Happy summer to everyone. There are also 3 new posts below this one for your reading enjoyment.

Dancing Queen

2009-05-30T22:06:00.003+08:00

Finally, Natalie. Her last week of school was really busy. The school does a dance festival for all the parents in lieu of a Christmas program. This is our 3rd year doing it and we always enjoy it. Natalie practiced her dance at home alot and was ready to go Tuesday. They had a cute little dance about the US with whistles (somewhat annoying). She really shined!

We also put her into dance again this year after many years of her begging and us coming up with lame excuses. She has enjoyed every single minute of it. Her dance recital also landed on this last week of school. On the same day that the school had the fun run (she ran the full one lap on the track) and field day (fun and socializing)! So, I was nervous about hair and make-up and her being tired and grumpy that night (make-up was awesome thanks to the sister of a friend call me for a reference). We got her all dolled up and off to the recital.

SHE TOTALLY ROCKED! I'm not going to say my daughter will ever be a prima donna but she was awesome! She loved it too and that's really all that matters. She's ready to do it all again next year. As soon as I get help putting her video on her you will all have to watch.

Natalie is such a social butterfly and hates to hurt people. She made alot of new friends this year and found out that not everyone is nice and kind. She gets nervous but perseveres. She takes things seriously but can also have fun, she really hates to let anyone down because of her soft heart. I really love her can do attitude and it seems to only get better the older she gets. She balances out the boys very nicely and even tries to keep them in line. I can see the teenager poking through every so often and it scares me. She is such a sweet and caring little girl, I'm so proud she is my daughter.

Off to a great start

2009-05-30T21:46:00.003+08:00

When Greyson started Jr. High this year we were a little worried. He didn't like elementary very much after our move and Jr. high can just be awkward. And when they get to be this age they don't really talk much about what's going on. So, either you guess or you just hope that everything is hunky dory.
So, when after the first week he came home happier and more energetic we were thrilled. He also said that he loved school again. He felt he was using his mind again and he really likes it. Bob and I both breathed a sigh of relief. THANK GOD!
As the year progressed he just seemed to blossom more. He found new friends and new subjects to study. He loved it. Sure, he had some problems with classes and the technicalities of Jr. high but he truly enjoyed it.
He had an awards assembly the 26th for all 7th graders. He received 6 awards. One of them for maintaining a 3.95 or higher for the full school year *he had a 4.0 every report card and would have had higher if the school didn't do simple GPA*. He also received perfect attendance, outstanding citizenship and 3 excellence in educations.
I'm so proud of the man he is becoming. Not just academically but also socially. He's willing to put himself out there more and he really is happy with himself. He has always been a great kid but now I can see little glimpses of the man to be. Sure, we still have a long way to go in these teenage years but we truly are off to a great start!

Kindergarten Graduate

2009-05-30T21:26:00.005+08:00

Jake had a Kindergarten graduation ceremony on the 22nd and has officially become a 1st grader! He could really care less. Sitting up on stage he sang the songs and goofed off in usual Jake fashion. He's a smart kid but doesn't take school too seriously. He would rather be out at recess running and jumping then inside learning math or words. I know he knows the stuff because he comes home and recites things to me but he won't do it for the teacher's when asked. He might be the one we have to use the incentive program/bribe into doing schoolwork. Hope he likes hot wheels for a VERY LONG time.

Jake is so ready for summer. He is outside most of the day making friends with anyone who will talk to him. He keeps inviting other kids over for a party that I am unaware of until we have a bunch of kids here. I'm not complaining, I really like his outgoing personality, it keeps me on my toes.

I'm amazed that he'll be in school all day next year. I will miss our little shopping trips where he yells at me to go home and I tell him just one more store. I'll miss cuddling with him in a quiet house in the dead of winter. I'll miss his "cooking school" where he makes something totally disgusting but eats it anyway and tries to make me eat it too. I look forward to him learning more, because he does love it. I look forward to his stories of how the school day was. I look forward to the big grin he'll get when he fully realizes that he gets out of school the same time as the big kids.

Adddiction!

2009-05-01T04:38:00.004+08:00

A friend of mine recently turned me onto these new types of slipper shoes. They are soooo cute, sooo warm, and soooo fuzzy! They are girly but practical. Perfect for a quick run to the mailbox or go to the school and drop off your kids lunch that they forgot that morning.

Today we went shopping and I thought I'd get a few for my sisters and moms. This is what we came home with......

It was a really good sale! These babies are usually 30 and we got them for 8 each! Seriously, how can a person pass up that type of sale! Especially if that person loves shoes, shopping or just spending money.

Jake even got a pair and loves them. They also have bags, pillows and blankets.

My cat seems to like them too.

I'm no Betty Crocker

2009-04-29T21:31:00.004+08:00

This weekend while Bob was home I thought I'd make some homemade Apple Dumplings. I've made this recipe before so I thought I could breeze through it super quick and get back to cuddling up with the family.

I get the apples all covered in dough and go to make the syrup. Butter and brown sugar go into the pot to start to melt. Then I realize the water is on and forget why. So, of course I figure that I was going to do dishes while I wait for the syrup to start melting.

After the butter is all melted the syrup is a little lumpy but I figured it would finish melting while it baked. 30 minutes later and the syrup didn't melt! This is what it looked like.....

That's supposed to be a nice carmely syrup for the dumplings but that water I had running? Well, 2 cups of it was supposed to go into the syrup! I wasn't really going to do the dishes afterall. That is why I shouldn't mulit-task while cooking!!!

While you were out...The Harness Edition

2009-04-26T20:55:00.007+08:00

Does anyone remember that old show from TLC. They tricked someone into leaving their house and the spouse who was left behind would redo a room or two in the house with help from a VERY large crew? I did that this week in the front room. Although my husband was gone I didn't have to trick him at all. And my crew consisted of me, my friend Canesa our children and then a dose of our husbands to help bring in heavy things and finally hang stuff.

I love this room. It's a grown up me. I fought my designer (Canesa) on some of the elements but she was right and this room is TOTALLY WICKED! At least in my opinion. My kids have been trying to spend every spare moment in that room, Ok, I have been too. Bob really loved it. I still have a few touch ups to fix with the paint and pictures to put in a frame but the room is almost done.

Here is the room before.....(actually this is circa 2006. I couldn't find one from this year but you'll see the difference in a bit)

Here are the renovation pictures....

Isn't it adorable! And did you notice those red curtains on my chocolate wall? I really didn't want those, my decorator made me try them and THANK HEAVEN she did because they are sooooo cute in that room. Sometimes you just need someone else to push you out of your comfort zone and have a fresh eye. This room is earthy yet comfy, elegant but livable. It's different from usual me but still me. It's Laurel all grown up!!

Vision

2009-04-26T06:41:00.004+08:00

This week I started to paint the inside of our house. We've only been here 2 years so I may be a little quick to start but I'm on a mission people! Don't judge.

Monday morning my front room was totally a mess. Things were everywhere so that I could tape and begin my little project. This is what it looked like...

Books were everywhere, nothing was in it's place, no one could move anywhere! All I could think about was the big mess I was creating and I needed to hurry up to get painting done and the mess cleaned up.

My kids however saw something so much more exciting... they saw a place to have a puppet theater (the broken entertainment center) or a place to be exploreres through the maze of the room.

It amazes me that as we age and "learn" more we seem to become more grounded in our beliefs. We forget about imagination and just the simplicity of being. I don't think one adult would have walked into that room and thought "wow! How much fun are we going to have!" They would have been like me, able only to see the work and the mess ahead of us.

My new goal is to try to remember that things are not always what they seem. Sure, in my adult head I think I know more because I've experienced more or read more or studied more but it may not always be true. Although the facts may point to my front room being a mess the truth of it is, we had fun in that room just being simple.

A little slice of Heaven

2009-04-19T06:06:00.003+08:00

It's called Pizza. And it is the VERY BEST pizza EVER! It's from Papa Murphy's and it is the bacon artichoke delite. I can't get enough of this pizza. I had it last week with a friend and got it again today because I needed a little retail therapy! So many things going on and I've just been too lazy to post anything. Let's just take a little looksy into my boring little life, and some of the reasons I turned to Pizza instead of chocolate or the new wardrobe I'd rather have, or the furniture or , well you get the picture.
This is the end of Spring break for the kids. They go back on Monday for the last 6 weeks of school! I don't know where the school year went. I've just become use to the routine, FINALLY! I usually love spring break. One full week where the kids and I get to do whatever we want whenever we want. We do some outings to the zoo or the like and then sit around and just enjoy eachother. This year however we started off the break with Easter and Bob's birthday the next day. And well, it snowed ALOT. I think I heard 10 inches around our neighborhood. The kids played outside for bit but I really am over the snow and am ready to get my shorts on and hang out at the pool in sweltering heat. I feel like we got jipped out of our spring break. My kids were indoors most of the time! And the 6 more weeks of school? Holy cow time flies! Next year Jake will be in school full time, did you hear that FULL TIME! I could cry just writing that. I think he's ready but I am not. Natalie will be a third grader and Grey will be 8th. When did I get this old? Half the time I don't act any older than they do!

We also saw alot of Bob this break because he took the rest of the week off in order to spend a little time with us before he starts a 3 month stint at another worksite. He'll be home every so often but it still sucks! I'd love to throw a fit like the kids do and just walk around with a kleenex and watery eyes talking about how much I miss daddy and I don't know why it has to hurt so bad a la Natalie/Jake. But, I'm soon to be 36 and I don't think that is appropriate plus I think the kids would freak out if they saw me do that! So, instead of going anywhere he hung out at home and played wii games. Hasbro family game night is really fun. I really hate complaining when my hubby isn't home because so many women do so much more without hubbies. But I love having that man around, if nothing else just to drool over him. He is my best friend and it feels weird not having him home at night to talk or complain too. It's just not complete around here. We have great technology though so we are keeping up through skype and texting. (Thank you Amber).

With Bob being gone though I have finished one whole book and half of another, I have decided to paint my whole house (inside only) and plan on catching up with The Tudors and checking out Big Love. My kids, and this is what really surprises me, have banded together and have played games or just "hung out" together. Yes, they have fought some and that's normal. BUT, Grey has asked the kids to play or watch something. This morning Natalie was all sad and he went and SAT down by her and asked her what was wrong. She of course yelled at him like any normal woman would. I have NEVER seen that kid do that. Well, he did when he was younger and Natalie was still a baby. Jake and Grey are having a blast chasing eachother on a Need for Speed game and they BOTH like it. I am so amazed at how they have been treating eachother. I guess maybe I am doing something right.

So, let me recap. My kids are growing up way too fast , I hate my husband being gone, I like to eat lots of things or spend money when I feel crappy. However, my bank account can't get smaller and my hips can't get bigger so you all had to listen to my little saga. I have so many things planned that I'll most likely shirk those to-do's and actually update my blog more than I currently have been doing. Yeah for you!

Tales of a busy EXPAT housewife....Now In Singapore

Welcome home

OH MY!

2011 where did you go?

I'm bilingual now

Thanksgiving in Singapore take 2

And we'll have fun, fun, fun....

I'm so proud of myself!

Decisions...

My 7 links

The circle of life

Let me tell you a little story.

Beijing...Something to start with

Spinning

Japanese Garden

We interrupt this regularly scheduled program.....

Someone special

Chinese Garden Singapore

Alive and well!

Finding

Missing

The bus wave

15 amazing facts about Greyson!

Taurus The Bull

Half of my life

Carrot cake?

I even got ice cream!

Bintan Lagoon

Jake's favorite part

South China Sea Day 1

Everybody Loves Relaxing

If an 8 year old can So can you!

My Job

Got Grass?

8 reasons Jake makes me smile!

Perseverance

Monkeys, Monkeys everywhere

Look out world

The weather outside is.....

Shí­ or 10

Reasons

The force in Taiwan

Moral dilemma

Struggles

Toot, Toot, Toot!

Fra ra ra ra rah rah rah rah rah....

Love

Peace

Joy

What Singapore has given me

Cliff notes

Typecast

One of my favorite things

I'm not going to lie

I'm in an arranged marriage

Shampoo

Yep, it's the end of the world

My sister is a B****

How to do your hair....Singapore style

Locals

Future posts

Humpty dumpty Gnome style

Come sail away...

I think it's that time of the month

My life is not my own

The bad mommy award goes to ME!

To water or not to water

Trendy toes

I may need help

Dear Greyson,

sixty seven dollars and 59 cents

Oh Edward, my Edward

Seasons

FOOD! It's everywhere...

You wanna update? Here's your update....

Is there ever "enough"

Tag!!!

Exchange of texts with my Hubby

The obligatory Thankful post

Playing hooky

Shí or 10